Peter Crouch backs Liverpool fans to fix Andy Carroll form

Stoke City striker Peter Crouch has backed Liverpool supporters to pull Andy Carroll out of his barren goalscoring spell, just as they did during his time at Anfield.

Carroll, who moved to Merseyside from Newcastle United for £35m 14 months ago, has managed just three goals in 26 league games this season.

31-year-old Crouch suffered similar problems following his £7m move in 2005, as it took him 18 games to get his first goal.

"That was the most ­difficult time of my career without a doubt. Looking back on it now, once I had scored, the weight lifted really and I went from not scoring to going on a real good run," Crouch told The Mirror.

"From then on I scored a lot of goals for the club. It is just psychological, once you get over that, you can go on.

"The biggest thing that helped me was the ­Liverpool fans who were different class. Even when I didn't score for the club, they were just ­unbelievable.

"[Carroll] is a top player in his own right, he has scored goals for Newcastle and I think he will come good at Liverpool. When he does, these fans will love him for it."

The Potters face Liverpool in an FA Cup quarter-final clash today and Crouch has promised not to over-celebrate if he scores.