Liverpool on Monday gave Portsmouth permission to open talks with their England international striker Peter Crouch.

Pompey have previously had one bid, believed to be £9-million ($17.7-million), turned down.

But Liverpool revealed they had reached an agreement with their Premier League rivals, opening the way for negotiations between the south-coast club and their former player.

"We have reached a verbal agreement with Portsmouth and have given them permission to speak with Peter," a spokesman told the club's website.

Crouch joined Liverpool for £7-million from Southampton, having previously played for Pompey in 2001-02.

AFP