Focus turns to Owen as Gerrard commits to ’Pool

LIVERPOOL are “reasonably optimistic” that Michael Owen will sign a new long-term contract after captain Steve Gerrard pledged his future to the club.

Owen said it "would be catastrophic" if the dynamic England midfielder left Anfield speculation had him almost definitely transferred to Chelsea.

But in a surprise development Gerrard, who signed a four-year deal last November, announced yesterday that he was going nowhere.

Now Liverpool chief executive Ricky Parry is hoping England striker Owen who has 12 months to run on his current deal will follow suit.

Asked if Gerrard's decision could influence Owen, Parry said: "I don't think what has happened today can do any harm. That's our next challenge.

"Michael is very important to our future. We hope he will commit himself to the club."

Gerrard revealed he been contemplating leaving his hometown team he was born and brought up in neighbouring Huyton which he joined as an eight-year-old.

But he decided to stick to his roots after talking things through with his close-knit family.

"The last three or four weeks have been really confusing for me," he said.

"I have been involved in a big tournament and that's the reason I have been really quiet about my future.

"I have not really been happy with the progress the club has made in the last two years.

"For the first time in my career I thought about the possibility of leaving Liverpool for another club.

"But after Euro 2004 and sitting down with my family, having another meeting with Rick and spending time with my agent, I am staying on at Liverpool.

"I am 100% committed to the club. I've gone with a decision that's been in my heart.

"I love the club, I love the supporters and that's what it boiled down to at the end of the day."

Parry admitted that there were fears Gerrard might leave before the start of the season the first under new coach Rafael Benitez.

But he claimed there had been "no false promises " or no "arm twisting" leading to Gerrard's statement of intent in the Anfield trophy room.

"We knew Stevie had some big decisions to make and it would be tough for him," said Parry.

"There were times when realistically we did fear he would be off.

"We had a few heart-to-heart discussions in recent weeks and there was a lot of soul searching.

"He is fiercely ambitious and we respect that completely.

"We always hoped fervently that we could persuade Steven to stay but in the end not a lot of persuasion was needed.

"This was his decision a decision from the heart. This is a club he has loved since he was a boy. He couldn't leave.