Robbie Fowler has been assured by Liverpool manager Roy Evans that he will not be dropped for Liverpool's League Cup semifinal, first leg meeting with Middlesbrough tonight (UTV, 8.05). Evans has also promised to give the England striker time to work out his problems and regain his best form. Fowler's recent performances have been poor - according to Fowler himself "diabolical" - and he got some abuse from the Anfield crowd last week during the win over Newcastle.

It has been suggested that the fans' reaction towards Fowler was partly caused by reports claiming that he wants £50,000 a week to sign a new contract. Evans insists the figures that have been mentioned are "fictitious" and is furious that reports on Fowler's wage demands have put the player under pressure from fans as he battles to rediscover his best form.

"I will stick by Robbie because he is a quality player," said Evans. "He has been very poorly treated in some sections of the media this week and I am naturally angry about that.

"We are in the process of trying to negotiate a contract. I don't discuss these things and the club won't discuss them. What has happened is that people have tried to make up figures to try to make him (Fowler) look bad, and that's totally out of order."