London, Feb 4 : England and Liverpool striker Peter Crouch's footballer pals gave him a stepladder for his birthday - so that his girlfriend could reach him.

The lanky striker at 6ft 7in, is the tallest man ever to play for either Liverpool or the England national team. His ladylove Abbie Clancy is almost a foot shorter at 5 ft 9in.

Crouch found his gift all wrapped up in ribbons when he walked into Liverpool's Melwood training ground along with a cheeky note from teammates and ground staff suggesting just how Clancy could put to use - reaching him.

A source revealed that the footballer fortunately saw the funny side of his gift.

"Crouchy is always the butt of jokes at the club - mainly from Jamie Carragher and John Arne Riise," The Sun quoted the source, as saying.

"He laughed along with the joke - but he didn't take the steps home to show Abbey.

"He was saying she doesn't need ladders because he can change all the light bulbs in the house himself."

Crouch and Clancy have been dating for nearly three years ever since meeting in a Liverpool club.

ANI