The striker arrived at Anfield for £7million two months after Liverpool had won the trophy for the fifth time in Istanbul, boss Rafael Benitez spending the profits from that historic run on bolstering his squad.

Goalkeeper Jose Reina and midfielder Mohamed Sissoko also arrived that summer, with defender Daniel Agger the following January.

Since then the likes of Jermaine Pennant, Craig Bellamy, Dirk Kuyt and now Javier Mascherano have experienced hearing that wonderful night discussed in the dressing room.

Now as Liverpool prepare for Wednesday's semi-final first leg of this season's competition at Chelsea, Crouch underlines that feeling of being outsiders among Anfield history-makers.

Crouch says in a LFC magazine interview: "Most of the lads here have all played in a European Cup final and know what it feels like to lift the trophy, and I would love the chance to do that.

"It is something I have missed, and so have a few more recent signings, and I would love to experience it myself."

And he also reveals that Chelsea players were willing Liverpool to lose that final against AC Milan.

He said: "I was actually with some of the Chelsea lads when Liverpool played in Istanbul, I was willing them to win but the Chelsea lads were not, but then they had just gone out of the semi-final at Anfield.

"It was one of the reasons why I joined Liverpool. The boys talk about it now, and I am gutted I was not involved. Hopefully I can achieve that now myself."

Crouch has no idea whether he will be playing at Stamford Bridge, as boss Rafael Benitez considers his tactics and striking options.

Benitez has plenty of alternatives, with Kuyt and Bellamy also jostling for a place in the side and the Spaniard could opt for two front men, but that is unlikely on past selection against Chelsea.

Or he could play one front-runner with Steven Gerrard in a supporting role.

Either way, Crouch knows it will be a tough game. He said: "The two matches are going to be tight, but we have proved against Chelsea that we can beat them. We have won three of the last four meetings between the sides and beaten them in the league at Anfield in February.

"But we know we are going to have to be at our very best to beat them, but if we play the way we can we can beat anyone."

Crouch has hit seven goals in Europe this season to match the club record of Steven Gerrard and Roger Hunt as the only Liverpool players to score seven goals in a single European Cup campaign.

He said: "I am really enjoying the competition, I've scored a few goals and I am on a bit of run in Europe, so I hope that continues all the way to the final."

And team mate Bolo Zenden, a former Chelsea player, highlights the importance of the tactics employed by both managers, who face each other for the 14th time since they both arrived in England in the summer of 2004.

There are few secrets now between Benitez and Jose Mourinho, and Zenden says: "The tactics, maybe more than individual players, are going to be crucial to the result of this tie.

"It will be a heated meeting at the Bridge, and I am sure at Anfield. But it will be better for us if we play in the European way because we have shown how much that style suits us, and I believe we can get a result at Chelsea.

"And that will benefit us more because we are at home in the second leg. That way we can get to the final again.

"We have five stars on our badge for our five successes in the competition but there is room for another. And with Rafa having already proved himself to be such a good tactician in Europe we have a great chance of adding that extra star."