[lfc-news] Reds cool on Owen return - Echo

Liverpool Echo, 4 Aug 2005
Reds cool on Owen return
By Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo

LIVERPOOL are not in talks with Michael Owen - despite reports
suggesting otherwise.

Speculation linking the Real Madrid striker with a return to Anfield has
surfaced in recent days as Owen looks to secure a move back to the
Premiership.

But Rafa Benitez insisted last week he is more interested in signing a
centre back than a centre forward and club sources today indicated that
situation has not changed.

Back-up for Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher remains the Reds boss'
priority and Benitez is looking to bring in a defensive reinforcement as
soon as possible.

However, with Peter Crouch ruled out for up to three weeks with a
hamstring strain and suspended for the first two games of the
Premiership season and Milan Baros on his way out of Anfield Benitez
could be ready to reassess his attacking options.

Currently, he has only Fernando Morientes and Djibril Cisse to call on
for next week's Champions League third round qualifier against CSKA
Sofia in Bulgaria.

Benitez does have the option of pushing Luis Garcia further forward for
that game but that would be only a short-term answer.

Crouch says he is disappointed to have picked up an injury so early in
his Anfield career.

He said: "It is really frustrating to pick up an injury like that but
hopefully I will be back sooner rather than later.

"I wanted to finish the game against Kaunas because I was really
enjoying my home debut but I had no choice in the end and had to come off.

"It is a real disappointment for me."

Meanwhile, the Luis Figo saga came to an end today with the Portuguese
international agreeing a two-year deal with Internazionale.

Liverpool had been in the hunt for the winger and Figo had spoken of his
desire to move to Anfield but the former World Footballer of the Year
has now completed a free transfer to the San Siro.

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