Crouch convinced the quadruple is on cards

With Fernando Torres's first hat-trick in English football fresh in the mind, Peter Crouch last night declared Liverpool are in a position to challenge for an unprecedented quadruple this season.

That might be a bold assertion given the new campaign is little more than two months old but Crouch, encouraged by the transfer activity which strengthened Liverpool's options, believes Rafael Benitez's squad can compete for the four major trophies.

"We are going to challenge on all fronts this year. I really believe that," said the England international, who partnered Torres for the first time during Liverpool's 4-2 League Cup victory at Reading on Tuesday night.

"Just look at the players; we've won at Reading but there are players who didn't even travel like (Jermaine) Pennant, (Dirk) Kuyt or (Andriy) Voronin, there was (Steven) Gerrard on the bench. The manager has a lot of players at his disposal."

Crouch believes those resources are already bringing reward.

"We want to be as consistent as we can," he added.

"Chelsea and Manchester United have proved how consistent you have to be to get anywhere near winning the league and we need to turn some of those draws into wins now.

"Ten unbeaten is a good start for us. It could have been even better but we need to get that winning mentality."

The sizeable investment Benitez made during the close season has undoubtedly helped, Crouch noting that there have been few problems with any of the new recruits acclimatising to English football.

"Sometimes it can take a while to bed in but they've come in and are really firing. That's good for the squad and the team."

It is Torres, though, who has done most to catch the eye, the three goals plundered in the second half at the Madejski Stadium taking the Spaniard's tally to six in nine appearances.

"The thing about Fernando is he's a top-class player but he works so hard for the team," said Crouch.

"The manager obviously likes all the players to work hard and the strikers to track back."

Crouch described Torres's performance as "magnificent", observing that the goals, further evidence of the finishing ability that prompted Benitez to pay Atletico Madrid €36.5 million, were "fantastically taken".

The 23-year-old Spaniard showed mental and physical strength against Reading's uncompromising Michael Duberry and Andre Bikey.

"That's a welcome to English football for him," said Crouch.

"It's going to happen but he's a strong lad."

Benitez had appeared reluctant to pair Crouch and Torres, but the England man, noting the contrasting styles each brings to the centre-forward position, believes there is a natural understanding.

"I enjoy playing with a player with such blistering pace as Fernando," said Crouch.