England striker Crouch, set to face Middlesbrough in a Premiership clash at Anfield on Wednesday, has been continually linked with a summer move to Newcastle after failing to secure a regular starting spot in Rafa Benitez's team since his seven-million-pound switch from Southampton two years ago.

The 6ft 7ins forward is the club's leading scorer with 18 goals this season, but Liverpool are understood to be monitoring Spanish duo David Villa and Fernando Torres ahead of possible summer swoops bankrolled by their new American owners.

However, Crouch has vowed to prove his commitment to Liverpool as they close in on third spot in the Premiership and the Champions League semi-final double-header against Chelsea.

He said: "People are saying I am going to move on but I'm determined to prove I'm happy at the club. I want to stay and, until I'm told otherwise, I will carry on doing the same things and working hard.

"It has never entered my head to leave. I'm happy here. There are more things to come, we will win more things and I certainly don't want to leave.

"But I've got to work hard and make sure I'm invaluable to the set up otherwise you will find yourself out of it.

"I think the future is bright. We have got the right man in charge, we have got a new stadium to look forward to and I don't want to go anywhere else."

With a top four spot and Champions League qualification for next season virtually secured, Liverpool boss Benitez admits that next Wednesday's Champions League first leg against Chelsea is looming large in his players' minds.

But the former Valencia coach insists that the Middlesbrough and Saturday's Anfield encounter with Wigan will be crucial pointers as to his team selection against Jose Mourinho's men.

Benitez said: "We have two home games now and we know if we play well and with confidence we could win those games. We have to try to be positive.

"The players know every game is important for them. If they want to play in the semi-final they need the confidence of the manager and the people.

"We know what they players are capable of but they should show they're in a good situation to play at their best. We have a few games to play before the semi-final and we expect 100 per cent."

Middlesbrough travel to Anfield seven points clear of the relegation zone, but with a daunting trip to Manchester United following their clash with Liverpool. Relegation is a distant possibility, but Boro and England winger Stewart Downing insists the Teessiders can wipe out those fears against the big two.

He said: "From the outside looking in, it probably looks as if we want the season to end, but certainly in the dressing room we don't feel that way because we haven't got 40 points yet. There's no chance of us just letting things drift.

"There are two big games coming up at Liverpool and Manchester United. They're not easy games, but we have to go there and put up a fight.

"Everyone fears that we'll go to Anfield and Old Trafford and get beat, but we have good records there and we'll go with confidence and give them a hard game."