Soccer: Owen’s going nowhere

Liverpool have dismissed out of hand suggestions that Michael Owen could be lured away from Anfield.

Linked in successive days with Real Madrid and Lazio, Liverpool point out that Owen has only recently signed a new contract that ties him to Anfield until the summer of 2005.

Liverpool spokesman Ian Cotton said: ‘‘Michael has only recently signed a new contract and is not for sale. He is going nowhere.’’

Liverpool have received no approach from any club and insist any interested parties would be wasting their time.

Speaking after he put pen to paper on that new contract, Owen said: ‘‘There has never been a thought in my mind about any club other than Liverpool.’’