Houllier denies Owen reports

Owen's career statistics

Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier has played down talk linking Michael Owen with a move away from Anfield.

Newspaper reports claimed Owen, who returned from injury to score in Saturday's win over Leeds, could leave in a £30m deal to Juventus at the end of the season.

But Houllier said: "I have had a chat with Michael and I can assure you it is not the case that he wants to go.

"Both Michael and Stevie Gerrard are important assets to the club and they both want to stay. Which is good to hear.

"They are still young and their best years are to come, but they have reached a good international level and I repeat, I am pleased that they both want to stay and I am sure the fans will like that.

I have no doubt he will sign another deal for the club Ian Rush

"It is good when some of our players, particularly Michael and Stevie, say openly they want to stay at this club, like this club and they want to carry on the pursuit of the vision that we have."

Owen has just 20 months of his current contract to run and reports claimed Liverpool will sell him at the end of the season rather than risk losing him for free when his deal runs out.

But Liverpool legend Ian Rush, who works alongside the player in his role as the club's strikers' coach, is also confident he is going nowhere.

A contract no longer keeps a player at your club for a length of time, it merely ensures you get more money when they leave From Biff Tannen Have your say on 606

Rush said: "I am absolutely certain Michael Owen will still be a Liverpool player next season, and I have no doubt he will sign another deal for the club.

"Suggestions that he has already decided he wants to leave are nonsense.

"Michael is as committed to Liverpool as he has always been. He wants to win more trophies and Anfield is the place he wants to do it."