Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier today said Michael Owen would be offered a new long-term contract.
|
Although Owen (23) has two years left on his current deal, Liverpool's failure to reach the Champions League has led to speculation about his long-term future.
However, his manager is confident the England striker would stay at Anfield.
"We will sit down with his agent in due time. Michael knows our intentions, what we think about him, and we will do everything in our power to keep him. I am very, very optimistic he will stay," Houllier said.
"I don't think being out of the Champions League will come into it - it's not the end of the world and I don't think it will make any difference to any contract talks," he insisted.
Houllier is determined to reshape the Liverpool squad to ensure a serious assault is made on the Premiership title next season.
He is reported to be considering a £4 million deal for Fulham's Steve Finnan and has also made Blackburn's £12 million-rated winger Damien Duff a prime target. Other Liverpool targets are reported to be French duo Djibril Cisse and Jean-Alain Boumsong at Auxerre.
He has also indicated Liverpool will not be buying potential this summer, but operating at the top end of the market for proven players.
AFP