STEVEN GERRARD and Michael Owen returned to Melwood today to start life under new Reds boss Rafael Benitez.

Gerrard and Owen,  plus Milan Baros, Jamie Carragher, Vladimir Smicer, Dietmar Hamann and Stephane Henchoz were all signing back in after being given extended close season leave due to their involvement in Euro 2004.

Benitez has already put a tough pre-season training regime in place in a bid to get the Reds squad to peak fitness early.

Liverpool play their opening friendly match on Wednesday night at Wrexham when Benitez will get a first chance to see his players in action.

At the end of this week they are due to fly out to America to play three games in a showcase tournament involving a host of top European clubs.

Liverpool will play against Celtic, Porto and Roma before returning to play the first leg of their Champions League qualifer on August 10.

The return of the Euro 2004 players today should also pave the way to ending the uncertainty surrounding the futures of Milan Baros and Michael Owen.

Liverpool remain confident Owen will follow skipper Steven Gerrard and commit his future to Anfield, while Baros, who walked away with the

Golden Boot in Portugal as the tournament's leading scorer, continues to be linked with Barcelona.

The Czech striker has made it clear he wants the chance of more first team football at Anfield, after a frustrating season in which he broke his leg.

Meanwhile, part-time striker coach Ian Rush seems unlikely to be handed the full-time role originally envisaged.

The Reds' all-time leading scorer is expected to meet club officials in the next few days to discuss the situation.

Benitez has already announced his back-room team, bringing across coaches Jose Ochotorena, Paco Herrera and Pako Ayesteran.

Chief scout Alex Miller has also now been handed more involvement in the coaching side, so it is now unclear what role Rush might be offered.