Liverpool avoided team leaks like England with approach Gareth Southgate could benefit from

Peter Crouch has offered Gareth Southgate advice on how his former Liverpool manager avoided team leaks for the opposition.

Southgate's frustration was palpable when his plans - including the shift to a three-man defence - went public before England's Euro 2024 quarter-final clash with Switzerland. The Three Lions have been faced with rumours of squad information being leaked throughout their campaign in Germany but wanted to avoid such disruptions ahead of tonight's semi-final against the Netherlands (Wednesday).

It's almost impossible to guarantee certain details won't find their way to the media or the opposition once players have been appraised of plans. However, Crouch offered some insight on how one of his old bosses eliminated the element of risk altogether.

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"Rafa [Benitez] used to do this all the time – we wouldn't have a clue what the team would be sometimes until it was announced on the Saturday," he said on That Peter Crouch Podcast (via The Mirror), when speaking about the prevention of leaks from within the camp. "You'd play a certain shape (in training), but the personnel you wouldn't know."

The ex-England forward - who netted 22 goals in 42 appearances for his country - suggested the sheer quantity of media members and associated personnel around the squad made it impossible to withhold team selections. However, Benitez's method meant there was less information to leak, because even the players weren't fully aware of his plans. Perhaps Southgate could benefit from this approach if England beat the Netherlands and line up a final with Spain on Sunday.

"It's happened since the start of time," Crouch added on the England conundrum. "It will always come out. You've got to remember how many people from the press, how many TV outlets, how many newspapers and radio people there are around the camp every single day.

"Y'know, agents, families - unfortunately it will [get out]. I don't see how that changes unless Gareth keeps the players guessing. Because they are [gonna tell]."

Crouch even went on to disclose that he had personally leaked information to family in the past, whether he was in the team or not. He admitted: "If I'm not starting on the weekend, I'm gonna tell me dad, 'I'm not playing.' Or 'I am playing, get ready for this,' y'know? You can't help it. Then my dad tells his best mate, and things happen."

England have tried to keep their cards close to their chest for tonight, where they hope to avoid the kind of disruption that has occurred thus far in Germany. Southgate's side managed to progress past Switzerland via penalties despite team leaks, but the Netherlands will be that much more difficult a foe blocking their path to the final.

As for England's lineup in Dortmund, it has been said Marc Guehi is likely to return in central defence after serving his suspension, taking his spot back from Ezri Konsa. Kobbie Mainoo should keep his place in midfield after impressing since his introduction, while Kieran Tripper looks set to stay on at left wing-back despite Luke Shaw's cameo off the bench against the Swiss.

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