Football FanCast columnist Alex Dimond wonders whether it is now time that Rafa Benitez considered bringing Jermaine Pennant back into the fold.

As his Liverpool side scraped past Crewe Alexandra in the Carling Cup last night, Rafa Benitez was no doubt a relieved man. After Saturday's disappointing 0-0 draw with Stoke at Anfield, getting a home win against another tricky opponent was the most important thing.

However, Benitez might have also have been heartened by the performance of Jermaine Pennant. The 25-year-old was a livewire all night, posing constant problems from Liverpool's right flank. The Englishman eventually provided Lucas' game-winning goal, whipping in a cross for the Brazilian with 25 minutes to go.

At the end of the game, which finished 2-1, Pennant admitted he was just happy to get some minutes under his belt:

"It was nice to play a game - whether it's the Carling Cup or any game it's good to get a run out I and enjoyed every minute of it."

He also admitted how hard at had been being out of the side at Anfield:

"It is very frustrating to know that you've been a playing such big part of the team and all of a sudden you are in the shadows, but that's the manager's choice and you just have to get on with it."

"If you get your chance you have to make the most of it. We have got a lot of strength in the squad which is why it is so hard to get in the team so I'll keep plugging away and see what happens."

After last night's performance, the former Arsenal winger will not have done his chances any harm. Benitez will no doubt have noted Pennant's performance, and even the Anfield faithful might have left the ground wondering what might have been, had the Englishman played on Saturday.

Signed to provide width on the left, Spanish winger Albert Riera seems to be adapting steadily to life on Merseyside. But Benitez's current preferred option on the right, Dirk Kuyt, relies on hard work and industry rather than pace and guile to make an impact on the game, and cannot stretch the field in the same way Pennant can.

The Englishman is also capable of the unexpected (witness his volley against Chelsea last season), something that Kuyt - who has nevertheless cropped up with crucial goals in the past - is less prone to.

After last night's performance, Pennant certainly hasn't done his first team chances any harm. He demonstrated his ability to provide another dimension to Liverpool's attack, one that could prove crucial when late goals are required.

With a renewed hunger to prove his worth, if Rafa does give the Englishman a chance - he may just be surprised with what he gets.

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