SVEN EYES CROUCH

SVEN Goran Eriksson must shatter Manchester City's transfer record if he is to have any hope of persuading Liverpool to sell striker Peter Crouch.

Eriksson is a big fan of the 6ft 7in England star, having handed him his international debut.

But Anfield boss Rafa Benitez has been told he is under no pressure to sell, despite having five forwards in his squad following the arrivals of Fernando Torres, Ryan Babel and Andriy Voronin.

Only an offer in excess of £20million will tempt Benitez to cash in after the departures of Craig Bellamy and Djibril Cisse.

That would represent a profit of 300 per cent on a player who cost the Reds £7m two years ago.

Aston Villa are also believed to be monitoring the Crouch situation.

Crouch has personal ties to the Blues - his mum comes from a big City-supporting family - and he was bitterly disappointed to be used only as a late substitute in last season's Champions League Final.

Eriksson made his second signing yesterday by bringing in £2.5m Swiss midfielder Gelson Fernandes from Sion FC.