10 Underwhelming Liverpool Signings Who Became Cult Heroes

7. Peter Crouch

If one were to cast their mind back to the summer of 2005, Peter Crouch was signing a four year-contract for the European champions. It doesn't quite sound right. The likes of Dimitar Berbatov, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and James Rodriguez have all recently put pen to paper at a club in the immediate aftermath of Champions League glory, as they look to capitalise on their success. So it didn't capture the imaginations of Liverpool supporters when their 'new era of European dominance' was signalled with the capture of Southampton's 6ft 7in target man for £7 million. The negativity surrounding Crouch's signature only hastened once his goal drought bordered into dangerous territory, as he was unable to find the back of the net in a four-month spanning 19 games. It all changed, for him when that first goal flew in, however, bagging a brace against Wigan Athletic in December. Suddenly, the pressure had been eased, and the Anfield faithful willed on their lanky target man. An FA Cup-winning goal against Man United would shortly follow, before a crucial cushioned assist for Steven Gerrard in the thrilling FA Cup final with West Ham in May. He finished the following season with 18 goals in all competitions, including the 'perfect hat-trick' in a 4-1 demolition of Arsenal, and even making a cameo appearance in the 2007 Champions League final. His final season didn't bear so many fruits, as he notched only 11 in all competitions, but by the time Portsmouth swooped in for him in an £11 million deal, he had already nestled himself inside the heart of every Liverpool supporter. He may not have been the 'Galactico' signing they craved in 2005, but through hard work, determination and a little bit of robotic dancing, he made sure that he will always be fondly remembered on Merseyside.