The midfielder had looked set to change clubs until Sunday, when Anfield manager Gerard Houllier called off the proposed deal.

But Bowyer now says his heart lies with Leeds and has predicted a bright future at Elland Road despite the imminent departure of Rio Ferdinand.

The midfielder is due to fly to Melbourne in the next 24 hours to join up with his team-mates on their pre-season tour and could play in Leeds' friendly against Chilean club Colo Colo on Saturday.

"Rio's move to Manchester United is a loss, but it also means that other players are less likely to leave the club and I think we have a strong base to build on," said Bowyer.

"Although it looked as if I was going to leave the club, I always had my doubts and I knew it would be hard to find supporters as loyal as the ones we have at Leeds.

"I think they will see that the best is still to come from this Leeds team."

Bowyer had been placed on the transfer list by chairman Peter Ridsdale, but says he never wanted to leave and had "reservations" about a move to Liverpool.

"I never asked to go on the transfer list and made it clear to Mr Ridsdale that I had reservations when they accepted Liverpool's bid," he said.

"So it is probably in the best interest of all parties that the deal did not go through.

"The arrival of Terry Venables was also a major factor in my thinking that this was not the right time to be leaving Elland Road.

"With the players we have and with Venables as manager I genuinely believe we have an excellent chance of winning something this season."