Speculation points to a season of bench warming................. ..
Speculation: Formulate theory or conjecture without firm evidence
Who's speculation and why? Because Veronin, another potential bench warmer, has signed and is apparently not good enough in some people's minds! Two in two.
Or because Babel has signed and can score goals but is predominately a left winger?
Or because Torres has signed and his reputation suggests he will score heaps of goals although he has not yet played in and adapted to English top flight football? Crouch has.
No speculation just firm evidence...
Anyway, Crouch has been improving ever since he came.
A positive point. And one that is worth keeping in mind.
I reckon he will be used primarily as a substitute and getting a fair amount of starting games due to Rafa's rotation policy. 
Crouchy can unlock a defense with a flick of his never ending legs and hopefully he will score more with his head this season too. I would prefer to see him start more games than he makes cameo appearances as a sub. That said, rotation is the trend these days with bigger squads and when we're pushing for the title and 3 cups it is inevitable he, along with the other strikers, will even sit out a few games.
He is definitely a player who I don't want to see go (he was our top scorer).
We can't and simply musn't sell Crouch, I will support Total Network Soloutions if we do! :'(
If Torres starts grabbing the goals I see the opportunities for Crouch as severely limited.
Why? Torres can bang in goals left, right and centre but who other than Peter Crouch has a decent goal tally at Liverpool of late. His form will obviously (but not definatley) take a dip if he's not playing but he has the ability to "pull rabbits out of hats" so while Torres may score plenty of goals Crouchy can nick a vital point or 3 with a moment of magic too, or vice versa. Strikers are only as good as the amount of goals they score so it's swings and roundabouts I'm afraid!
I don't think Torres and Crouch are a partnership.
Different styles and abilities but not a tried and tested formula yet, we'll have to wait and see!
Crouch is a saleable asset for Liverpool.
True, but who would we want to sell him to and why? If he keeps his form, as I expect he will, it would be like playing Russian Roulette - Sell one of the best and unique strikers in the country and watch him rack up some goals against you and replace him with who? I would keep Crouchy at all costs, on form he's priceless.
I think we could see some speculation over him in the January transfer window - but I don't think the reds will consider (or need) to sell him.
You might be right but in football everybody is under scrutiny from Owners, Boardroom / Shareholders and Management through to Players and even Ticket Sales staff (re: Athens!)
Crouchy does his fair share both as a support striker (ie holding the ball up for other players to run on or laying off balls to team mates). Equally he has the ability to pull rabbits out of hats with classy strikes. His ball control and footwork is excellent for someone who's all arms and legs! I believe he will become better if he stays at Liverpool, he is already a handful for most defenses so, with improved heading and finishing he will be well worth his transfer fee.A very exacting opinion from Paul Tomkins (LFC.tv):Peter Crouch was perhaps BenÃtez's most controversial signing. Before he signed I admit I'd not paid him much attention, but I was quickly won over in pre-season, with his obvious ability on the ball. Having been singing his praises for nearly two years now, it's great to see others cottoning on.
Crouch, who only turned 26 fairly recently, is one of those players who will get better with age. His game has nothing to do with pace, but skill on the ball and getting into the right positions, both to score goals, but also to use his height effectively. Experience, and good tuition, will help, as it has done in the last two years.
Since breaking his duck for Liverpool and England less than 18 months ago he's plundered a phenomenal 41 goals, and that's without being an automatic first choice for either side, and without the free-kicks and penalties that other strikers use to boost their tallies. He's scored key goals at the World Cup and in European qualifiers for his country, and has notched six Champions League goals already this season for the Reds. Plus he's now scored against Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United, as well as in a Mersey derby.
There's still more to come from Crouch. But he's improving all the time, and remains the most unique striker in the league. He gives Rafa one of his famed 'possibilities' that no other can offer, and it's why I'd be very surprised if he's not at the club for a long time to come.
There's only 1 Peter Crouch... and we are very lucky he plays in a RED shirt for LIVERPOOL FC 
(And the fact I'm 6' 3" and support Liverpool with a passion and am jealous has nothing to do with my opinions of Crouch - honest! ... (the irony of his name!) 
Plain and simple, Peter Crouch was never bought to be a 20 goal a season striker. He was bought as a player who can hold the ball up & bring others into play, which personally I feel he does better than anyone else in the premiership. This isn't the type of player we need in every match, but it is a player we need in our squad. Until we can find someone who can do that job better than him he has to stay. Being the type of player he is, he shouldn't be expected to score that many, more to be setting his team mates up. However take a look at his ratio, 0.42 goals per game. This is the best ratio at the club this season, and whilst not good enough for an out & out striker, that is f#cking prolific for a hold up man. A lot of people unfortunately will never get their head round the fact that he doesn't look like a footballer, and no matter what he does he won't convince these people. All I'll say is just keep on knocking him, cos every time you do he answers you back in style.
We will only ever have one Peter Crouch (for all his arms and legs - and vision, skill and goals) and until the day arrives that he can't hit a barn door with a banjo be grateful for what he does in a RED shirt.
(He bangs his fist on table then storms out of room!)
