Champions League: Peter Crouch last night offered a staunch defence of Rafael Benitez's rotation policy and, despite frustration that his own opportunities have been limited as a result, admitted that making a mark in his second season at Liverpool was a considerable challenge.

The England striker returned to the starting line-up for the first time in five matches against Galatasaray on Wednesday and promptly plundered a pair of volleyed goals, the second a sumptuous scissors-kick, to take his season's tally to 10 goals from eight starts for club and country.

Yet, even with that brace bolstering his case, Crouch remains uncertain as to whether his display against the Turkish side will be enough to earn him a place in the team for the Premiership match at Bolton tomorrow.

"I was particularly eager to prove a point having sat out the last few games, and I'd admit it has been frustrating," said Crouch. "You want to be in the team, so when you get a chance you've got to grab it with both hands. Hopefully I have done that. It's been difficult because I felt I was playing well, but the manager likes to chop and change.

"It's hard to get your head around it when you're sitting on the bench, especially when you've not been used to that before. But we've a top, top manager who gets results playing this way, so you won't hear me complaining. Perhaps it's going to be even more of a challenge for me this season, but that keeps you hungry. He has certainly kept me on my toes and you can't go banging on his door if he is getting results. I'm still not sure I'll play on Saturday, but the system works, so you can't fault it."

Benitez has gone out of his way to ensure that Crouch remains grounded this season - ironic, then, that his finest-ever goal should be plucked from mid-air - after his successes with England, for whom he has scored 11 goals in 14 appearances. "The manager knows my character," added the 25-year-old. "I don't get carried away. My feet have always been on the ground. I've worked hard to get to this stage of my career and I'm not going to rest on my laurels now."

Much of what happened on Wednesday night justified the manager's selection policy, with Crouch, Luis Garcia and Jermaine Pennant, all of whom have enjoyed as much rest as action this term, the team's most impressive attacking performers.

Yet it was also clear that Liverpool are distinctly fragile in the centre of midfield without the leggy energy of Mohamed Sissoko, an acceptance of which will probably thrust Steven Gerrard back to the flank in the weeks to come.

Too much territory was surrendered to Galatasaray, with Sissoko rested and Gerrard starting in the centre for the first time in over a month.

"Maybe we relaxed too much," admitted Xabi Alonso. "We have to get tighter. Certainly, when we (Alonso and Sissoko) are together in midfield the team is balanced, so sometimes Steven Gerrard has to play on the right and cut inside."

Meanwhile, Liverpool have proved to the satisfaction of the city's council that they have secured the £180m backing to fund the construction of a 60,000-capacity stadium in Stanley Park, thereby securing a European grant worth £9m to regenerate the area around the new arena.

Guardian Service