Owen close but Diouf to go

Owen told Liverpool's official website that he was keen to resolve his future and seal a new deal.

"I haven't signed yet. We're still in talks and we've got further meetings planned," said the England striker.

"We've been speaking for a long time but not since the new manager took charge.

"No one, including myself, wants this to drag on into the season and hopefully it will all be concluded soon.

"These things don't just happen overnight. It seems like it's been ongoing for a long time but in reality we've only had about four or five meetings."

One player who is unlikely to line up alongside Owen is Diouf - whose crunch meeting with Benitez ended with the player being told that he does not figure in the coach's long-term plans.

"The first thing I always do is talk with the player first," said Benitez.

"I talked with Diouf and told him he will not play a lot in my team and perhaps it would be good for him to play with another team.

"At the moment he is looking for another team."