OWEN AND GERRARD STAYING AT ANFIELD

Gerard Houllier revealed yesterday that Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard were both close to signing new deals at Liverpool amid reports that the two England internationals were unhappy with the club and stalling over contracts.

Michael Owen is expected to stay with Liverpool. The Liverpool manager, whose team face Blackburn Rovers in the Carling Cup tonight, said he had spoken to Owen, whose present deal runs out in the summer of 2005, and was convinced that the 23-year-old would sign.

Houllier said: "Both Michael and Stevie are important assets for the club and they both want to stay. They are still young, even if they've reached quite a good level from the international point of view, so I'm happy that they want to stay."

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