Crouch scored in Liverpool's Champions League win this week

Eriksson, who worked with the Liverpool star during his reign as England boss, is keen to sign a forward during the January transfer window.

"Sven does like Peter Crouch, very much. But he has yet to decide (if he will make an offer)," said Shinawatra.

But Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said: "We do not want to sell Peter."

Interview: Peter Crouch

Crouch, who scored in Wednesday's 4-1 Champions League victory against Porto, has seen his first-team appearances at Liverpool severely limited this season.

I'll do everything in my power to stay where I am Peter Crouch

However, the 6ft 7in striker insists he is staying at Anfield, despite being linked with other clubs.

"Playing in a Uefa Champions League match with an atmosphere like that it would be hard to leave and go somewhere without that," Crouch told Football Focus in an interview recorded before Shinawatra's comments.

"At Anfield on a European night, there's no bigger stage. Playing for Liverpool is something you dream of as a kid and I'm doing it now. We're challenging for things domestically and I'm playing with some fantastic players.

"I love being where I am and it would be a really sorry day to actually leave the club so I'll do everything in my power to stay where I am."

And those sentiments were echoed by Reds boss Benitez who added: "We want to enjoy and see Crouchie score a lot of goals.

"The players in a top side know sometimes they will not play every game but you can see how important Peter Crouch is for us.

"Always you know Peter in every training session is a very good professional."

Should Crouch leave Liverpool, he could command more than the �7m Reds boss Rafael Benitez paid for him more than two years ago.

However, Thaksin insists City will be not be held to ransom over any player.

606: DEBATE I really hope he doesn't go, he adds something very different to our style of play craney91

"We are looking for good players that are good money, not too expensive. I am not in the position to buy everything at any cost," Thaksin added.

"Sven will pick the right person at the right price."