BOLO Zenden does not believe Liverpool will have one eye on their European Champions League semi-final when Middlesbrough visit Anfield tomorrow.

The skilful midfielder played his part in Boro's battling 0-0 draw with Newcastle at St James' Park on Wednesday.

The result keeps the Teessiders firmly on course for a top seven Premiership finish and another European adventure. The draw raised a few eyebrows among the conspiracy theorists, who believed the game was always going to end up all square.

Newcastle, who had little chance of claiming automatic European qualification through a league position, would have undermined both their own and Boro's chances of qualifying for Europe had they recorded a victory.

If Boro fail to qualify for Europe through their league position then they would have to enter the Intertoto Cup at the third round stage.

In that event Newcastle would have to enter the competition at the second round stage and return to pre-season training two weeks earlier than planned.

After an exhausting campaign, which included 19 cup games, an early return is the last thing they would wish for.

Those inside the ground would have witnessed two highly competitive sides trying to win three points.

Zenden believes on the balance of play that a draw was a fair result at St James' Park.

"I think we gave them a game and I'm looking forward to playing again on Saturday.

"It was important not to lose and also to keep a clean sheet, and Brad Jones made a fantastic save (from Darren Ambrose).

"He is doing really well for us while Mark Schwarzer is out.

"Then again, as a team I thought we were compact, had a good shape and still created chances.

"Going to St James' Park is always difficult. It's a great stadium with great fans and obviously they were under pressure to play for pride, and we had pride and Europe to play for.

"Obviously it is about putting your chances away but I think we worked very hard and battled to get a result."

Boro visit a Liverpool side just 90 minutes away from their first European Champions League final for 20 years. They could be forgiven for being preoccupied with the second leg tie at Anfield next week, and boss Rafael Benitez could choose to rest some weary legs, but Zenden thinks otherwise.

He said: "I have played Champions League and as soon as the weekend comes it is just another game. Obviously they are professional enough to look at it that way and we'll do exactly the same.

"But after playing in Europe it is always hard to pick up the points at the weekend."

The jury may be still out on Merseyside regarding the new Liverpool boss, but Zenden is a fan of the former Valencia manager and believes he has had as much impact as Jose Mourinho.

Benitez was hailed as the solution to ending the Reds' 15-year quest for a league title. But, his inconsistent charges have stuttered in the Premiership and his short reign has been redeemed only by a Carling Cup final appearance and a successful Champions League campaign.

"If you say Liverpool have had a disappointing season then I'm saying the opposite," said Boro's Holland international.

"I think they have had a fantastic season. They played in the Carling Cup final and are in the semi-finals of the Champions League and they are still trying to get in to the competition next year through the league.

"Benitez, as a new coach, has done well in his first year.

"When you look at Chelsea, probably their best buy has been Jose Mourinho.

"He has put everyone in place in such a short time. That says a lot about Benitez too.

"Chelsea are doing things in a certain way that catches the eye with all the investments they have made - and in such a short period whereas at other clubs it takes a bit more time.

"Benitez has brought in some foreign players who need to adapt to the English game but I think they are doing really well."

Zenden confirmed he is still undecided about his future at Middlesbrough.

The Dutchman was recently quoted as saying only Champions League football would tempt him to spend another season on Teesside.

He said: "Nothing has been cleared up because I haven't signed any contract yet.

"There are a lot of factors that will decide my decision but I think the game on Saturday is more important than my future.

"There are a few games to go and we want to push for a UEFA Cup place and it will come down to the last few games.

"If we get a few good results we can jump up the table."

Read more about Middlesbrough here.