Peter Crouch has hit back at Jose Mourinho's claims that Manchester United and Arsenal, not Liverpool, will be Chelsea's closest challengers this season. The Blues' chief's jibe that the Anfield outfit were well organised and hard to beat rather than dynamic brought this repost from the England striker.
"We haven't said a single thing about Chelsea and have been focussing solely on ourselves. If Mourinho is talking about us, we're obviously on his mind. We're confident and when the season starts, we'll show what we're about," said Crouch.
"How many teams in the Premiership will be playing with two out-and-out wingers this season? We've got some of the best passers in the world, never mind the Premiership. There are no better passers than Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso and everything we do is about receiving the ball and playing a good style."
Midfielder Luis Garcia, whose goal knocked Chelsea out of the Champions League at the semi final stage 16 months ago, added: "Why shouldn't we believe we can catch Chelsea and win the Premiership this season? We beat them in two semi finals and that was not lucky.
"Last season we know Chelsea had the strongest, most consistent team and were worthy champions, but in each of my first two years at Liverpool I have won a trophy. This year I would like the league title."
He added: "To catch Chelsea we have to be much more consistent. We lost too many points last season away from home. If we are strong in defence, if the new signings fit in, and if we are effective in attack, then Liverpool can go far. We haven't peaked yet. We are improving and will be difficult to beat this year."
Staying on the subject of new signings, Rafa Benitez says he is targeting at least one more striker to compensate for the close season departures of Djibril Cisse and Fernando Morientes. The arrivals of Jermaine Pennant, Mark Gonzalez and Craig Bellamy will give the Spaniard extra options, but he has highlighted the need to recruit further to bolster his attacking armoury.
"We are continuing to work (towards new signings). Maybe it's too late for the Champions League qualification round next week, but there is one month left and that gives us the time we need to sign the player we need," said Benitez.
"We still need an extra striker just in case. I'm happy with the strikers we have, but we need another and I am confident we will get one."
Liverpool's pursuit of Feyenoord striker Dirk Kuyt is an open secret, yet in appears they are struggling to match the Dutch's clubs £10 million valuation of the player.
