On this day: Harry Redknapp wants to bring Peter Crouch back to Portsmouth from LiverpoolÂ

The capture of a striker a priority in January was a priority - and the England man was top of the Blues' wish list.

Crouch was a frustrated figure at Liverpool during the 2007-2008 season, restricted to just two Premier League starts.

His absence had prompted talk of a move away from Anfield, with Pompey persistently linked.

The 26-year-old enjoyed a successful spell at Fratton Park in the 2001-02 season, bagging 19 goals in 39 games for Graham Rix's side.

And Redknapp, who was the Blues' director of football at the time, was keen to bring the England striker back.

He said: '˜You will always be interested in someone like him. He's a great player.

'˜He can be unplayable at times. He's a terrific player, a great lad and great to work with.

'˜He was fantastic in that year he had at Portsmouth. The club owe him a massive debt for what he did.

'˜People should remember that without Crouchy this club would not be where it is today, not a chance.

'˜We bought him for £1m and sold him to Villa for £5m and that money gave us the opportunity to bring players to have a real go the following season.

'˜He scored 19 goals and without those goals they would probably have gone down that year as well.

'˜Graham Rix was manager and Crouchy and Robert Prosinecki carried the team and kept them in that division.

'˜We owe him such a debt and that shouldn't be forgotten. He kept the club going and for me has been one of the main players for the past six or seven years, without a doubt.'

Redknapp was also responsible for reigniting Crouch's career when the two worked together at Southampton.

With Jermain Defoe already at the Blues, the boss told how he wanted to see him be partnered up front by his England team-mate.

Redknapp added: '˜Personally I would play Jermain Defoe up front with Crouch.

'˜The pair of them, with the big man and little man partnership, can be a real threat.'

Crouch would go on to re-sign for Pompey in July 2008.