 LIVERPOOL will step up their bid to sign Peter Crouch by increasing their £5m valuation. Southampton have placed an extraordinary £7m price tag on striker, although Saints boss Harry Redknapp is privately resigned to losing the 24-year-old striker. Liverpool hoped Crouch would leave for a bargain fee in the aftermath of his club's relegation from the Premiership, but manager Rafa Benitez is determined to sign the forward and negotiations will advance when chief executive Rick Parry returns to the country in a few days. Despite an inflated valuation, the 6ft 7 inch forward still represents a cheaper option than Feyenoord's Dirk Kuyt, who is valued at £10m. Crouch could finally join the Reds for around £6m. England international Crouch has suffered the indignity of having his wages halved by Southampton in the aftermath of relegation. His salary has been cut from £9,000 a week to £4,500 by chairman Rupert Lowe, which would make the club helpless if Liverpool make their move. After weeks of speculation, Liverpool are still considering many of their other options in transfer market, although Benitez hopes to seal most of his deals before the players return to pre-season training on June 27. Much still depends on UEFA's verdict regarding Champions League qualification, now expected on Friday. Goalkeeper Jose Reina is heading to Merseyside in a £6m deal, while Real Zaragoza's defender Gabriel Milito is expected to follow when his international duty with Argentina ends. With regards to outgoings, Lyon have openly admitted they're interested in signing striker Milan Baros. While the Reds would welcome all bids which meet a £7m valuation, the Czech star's previously fraught relationship with ex-boss Gerard Houllier could be a stumbling block to a deal. Baros publicly stated he would have quit Anfield last season if Houllier had remained in charge, making any bid to reunite the duo very surprising. Despite morning reports, Deportivo La Coruna winger Albert Luque is not an Anfield target. | 
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