Liverpool and England striker Peter Crouch is to discuss a move to Portsmouth after the Premier League clubs reached a verbal agreement on the player's transfer, Liverpool said on Monday.

Crouch, who scored 11 goals for Liverpool last season, has been given permission to discuss personal terms with the FA Cup winners, who are preparing for their first season of European football in the UEFA Cup.

"We have reached a verbal agreement with Portsmouth and have given them permission to speak with Peter," Liverpool said in a statement on their official Web site (www.liverpoolfc.tv).

England forward Crouch, 27, joined Liverpool from Portsmouth's south coast rivals Southampton in 2005.

Crouch had a short spell at Portsmouth earlier in his career when the Fratton Park club were playing in the second tier of English football.