The current uncertainty surrounding Michael Owen’s future at Liverpool took another twist on Monday when new manager Rafael Benitez refused to confirm him in the squad to face AK Graz of Austria.
Owen in recent days has stalled on signing a new three-year deal. It has been suggested that his advisers do not want him to be pressured into signing a new contract before the Champions League starts, especially as other clubs could come in with a bid.
Barcelona are believed to be interested in Owen, but his value would drop significantly if he plays against AK Graz, which would effectively rule him out of all Uefa club duty action for any other team.
Although Benitez has played down the significance of Owen’s possible non-involvement in the match, it will do little to change the negative speculation surrounding one of the club’s most-prized players.
”Michael is on my list and he can play, I never name my team but he can play, he is listed,” said Benitez ahead of Tuesday’s first leg in the third qualifying round.
”It is an important match and we will see then, but I do not want to talk about one player.”
Czech striker Milan Baros has already been primed to play alongside Frenchman Djibril Cisse up front in a game that Liverpool cannot afford to lose.
Another argument is that Liverpool do not want to Cup-tie Owen if his contract negotiations break down completely, leaving them looking for a deal before the transfer deadline arrives on August 31.
If he plays and then rejects the contract, Liverpool could lose him for nothing next summer with less than one year of his contract still to run.
His valuation could also be slashed either in this transfer window, or even worse, come January.
Owen is worth about £20-million but could end up being sold for a fraction of that.
But Benitez declined to explain the situation, and added: ”I cannot talk about the future. I have 19 players here in Austria and Michael is on that list.
”I can pick him and if he plays it is because he is the right player for the game. If he does not it is because another player is considered better, nothing more than that.
”I do not name my teams until the day of the game and this team will not be named until 30 minutes before the game.
”I have nothing to say about his contract — He is here with us and can play.” — Sapa-AFP