Peter Crouch insists he
never even entertained the prospect of leaving Liverpool, despite a
January transfer window which saw him linked to
Newcastle.
Since the turn of the year Crouch has won his way into Rafa
Benitez's thinking at Anfield, but earlier in the season he cut
more of a frustrated figure, in often playing second fiddle to Dirk
Kuyt and Craig Bellamy.
A sublime hat-trick against Arsenal at the end of March had even
his staunchest detractors eating their words, with 17 goals this
season from just 27 starts bearing testimony to an ability to
perform both in the Premiership and in Europe.
While the likes of Newcastle, and others, may hanker after the
beanpole striker, Crouch is more than content on Merseyside and he
has no intention of leaving a club he feels is heading in the right
direction, both on and off the pitch.
"It never entered my head to leave the club," Crouch told the
website.
"I am happy here, I'm happy with the manager and with the team. I'm
sure there is more to come. I certainly don't want to leave.
"I've got to work hard and make sure I add value to the team,
otherwise you will find yourself out.
"That's something I don't want to happen."
On the contrary to crushing his spirits, Crouch insists criticism
aimed in his direction only heightens his desire to prove the
sceptics wrong.
"A few said I was going to move on but it just made me more
determined to play," he concluded.
"Until I'm told otherwise I'll keep working hard and try to win
games.
"I definitely think it's (the future) bright, I think we've got the
right man in charge.
"He's brought in new players and it looks like we've got a new
stadium to look forward to. So why would I want to go anywhere
else?"