Last updated: 2nd December 2008
Owen: No Anfield return
I can assure everyone that clearly we are not going for Michael Owen.
Rafa Benitez
Quotes of the week
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has confirmed that the club are not planning on making a move for former striker Michael Owen.
The Newcastle striker, out-of-contract at the end of the season, has been linked with a return to Anfield - the club he started his career at before leaving just as Benitez arrived in 2004.
However, Benitez insists that he has no plans to bring 28-year-old Owen back to Liverpool.
"We will have Fernando Torres back soon, and I can assure everyone that clearly we are not going for Michael Owen," he insisted.
Benitez was also quizzed about his own contract situation as one of the club's co-owners - George Gillett, was in attendance at Monday's 0-0 draw with West Ham.
"George Gillett is here, but there is no news yet on the contract," he revealed.
"We are waiting for further communication, we do not have that yet.
"We will finish our conversations soon and start thinking about football."

A look at the best pictures as Michael Owen completes his surprise to Manchester United.
Pictures from the unveiling of Real Madrid's reported £56 million signing at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Pictures from the Under 21 championship semi-final between England and Sweden in Gothenburg.
Pictures from England's draw with Germany in the last Group B game of the Under 21 Championships.
A look at the best pictures as Michael Owen completes his surprise to Manchester United.
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 15th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Wigan |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Man City |
| 15:00 | Bolton vs Sunderland |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Everton vs Arsenal |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Birmingham |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Fulham |
| 15:00 | Stoke vs Burnley |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Wolverhampton vs West Ham |
| Tuesday 18th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Birmingham vs Portsmouth |
| 19:45 | Burnley vs Man Utd |
| 19:45 | Fulham vs Blackburn |
| 19:45 | Hull vs Tottenham |
| 19:45 | Sunderland vs Chelsea |
| 19:45 | Wigan vs Wolverhampton |
| Wednesday 19th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Liverpool vs Stoke |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Portsmouth |
| 15:00 | Birmingham vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Burnley vs Everton |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 24th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 1 - 0 Newcastle | |
| Blackburn 0 - 0 West Brom | |
| Hull 0 - 1 Man Utd | |
| Man City 1 - 0 Bolton | |
| Sunderland 2 - 3 Chelsea | |
| Fulham 0 - 2 Everton | |
| Arsenal 4 - 1 Stoke | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Middlesbrough | |
| Wigan 1 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Liverpool 3 - 1 Tottenham | |
| Monday 18th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Portsmouth 3 - 1 Sunderland | |
| Sunday 17th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 2 - 0 Blackburn | |
| West Brom 0 - 2 Liverpool | |
| Saturday 16th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 0 - 1 Fulham | |
| Bolton 1 - 1 Hull | |
| Stoke 2 - 0 Wigan | |
| Middlesbrough 1 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Tottenham 2 - 1 Man City | |
| Everton 3 - 1 West Ham | |
| Man Utd 0 - 0 Arsenal | |
Skysports.com assesses Michael Owen's possible free transfer to Manchester United.
Ian Rush told Sky Sports News that Sir Alex Ferguson's move for Michael Owen could prove a masterstroke.
Manchester United have confirmed the shock capture of Michael Owen, with the striker signing a two-year contract at Old Trafford.
Michael Owen has signed for Man Utd, Chelsea have landed Daniel Sturridge, while Florentino Perez wants "two more signings".
Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Daniel Sturridge on a four-year contract from Manchester City.
Arsenal have announced that Kieran Gibbs has signed a new long-term contract extension.
Premier League referee Steve Bennett has been appointed as an independent director of officials by the England and Wales Cricket Board.