Sven, while presenting Christmas gifts to children during a visit to London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital, said of Crouch: "It’s great to see Peter starting to score regularly. He’s taken a lot of unfair criticism since moving to Liverpool – despite playing very well.

"I know that like myself, Rafa Benitez has had complete faith in Peter’s ability to score goals, so it’s pleasing for everyone that he’s scored four goals in recent games.

"Peter contributes so much to any team, and particularly when he’s scoring goals he is a tremendous threat to any defence.

"I’ve been greatly impressed with the professional attitude he has maintained while he was waiting for the goals to come and he is such a likeable person who has a great spirit.

"He is a threat in the air or on the ground capable of scoring very good goals.

"Peter’s a real team player, which the Liverpool fans have already recognised, and I’m sure England supporters will understand this – the more they see of him in an England shirt."