It is impossible not to feel for Peter Crouch. With Andriy Voronin and Dirk Kuyt labouring to fashion anything against Besiktas, you might have thought that the stage was all set for him. Instead it was only when the second goal had been conceded – that is when it was already too late – that he was sent on.

Whatever he says about using his squad, Benitez’s actions are proving that he has lost faith in Crouch. Perhaps it is down to what he sees during training, and Crouch certainly hasn’t been brimming with confidence or exuberance whenever used, but he is clearly reluctant to turn to the England forward.

Yet the alternatives don’t look too hot. Unless Fernarndo Torres returns and is fully fit, then surely Crouch is worth a start. Both Andriy Voronin and Dirk Kuyt are good players who work tirelessly yet they are too similar to play together, they don’t look dangerous enough.

Crouch is the one who offers something different. When off form, he can look cumbersome and lacking in talent. Give him confidence and he can score goals. That is what Benitez has to do: back the big man as he so often has in the past.

His recent treatment of Crouch certainly seems strange. After all, it was Benitez himself who brought him to Anfield and defended him so stoutly when he struggled to find his feet. That Crouch had subsequently done so well had fully justified the manager’s actions.

This time it is a different challenge that faces both of them. Whilst Benitez has to find it within him to change the set-up – rather ironical given the criticism of his rotation policy - Crouch must once again prove his worth. That is perhaps what he has failed to get to grips with this season: that rather than being the regular starter almost by default he must now work hard to show that he deserves to continue playing.

And there’s no better time than this for both to do so.