Owen hints at Reds deal

Michael Owen has promised Liverpool fans that “something will be sorted out” over his long-running contract saga after his return to action helped Reds to a battling win at Anfield.

The England striker, returning after three months of injuries, claims “everything is in place for me to stay” despite speculation suggesting Chelsea are leading the chase for Owen.

He did his best to distance himself from agent Jon Holmes’ midweek comments suggesting Owen would quit in the summer without Champions League football.

Owen, who could have capped his comeback with a goal in the 12th minute, but hit the crossbar from two yards, said: “I have seen a lot written and said about the contract recently.

“I have come out a couple of times to clear the air, and when you do not say anything it seems to get murky.

“But it is very simple. We will not be sitting down until maybe February or March, because that is when my advisor is back in the country.

“It is not a coincidence that nothing has happened for a while. He had planned this break for years and years and when he is back we will sit down.

“I am no different to anyone else who has been offered a contract. As soon as he is back we are going to sit down and hopefully sort something out.”

Owen made it clear he is receptive to what Liverpool are offering, and that staying put is very much an option.

He said: “This is going to be the main contract of my career so it has to be right. I have a family to look after now. But I like the lads here and I like the management staff so everything is in place for me to stay.”

Owen’s return was a side-show in another defiant Liverpool performance which brought back memories of their 2002 cup treble side.

There was nothing pretty about this victory, but it was Liverpool’s third in a week and their first back-to-back league triumphs since October.

It was also the first time since August they have gone three games without conceding a goal, something which no doubt would have delighted on-loan goalkeeper Paul Jones on his debut.

Villa battered away, having good possession and plenty of constructive play, but they floundered with Sami Hyypia, Igor Biscan and Dietmar Hamann defending superbly.

Even the goal was messy.

Harry Kewell’s cross was met by a powerful Emile Heskey header. The ball hit Mark Delaney, under pressure from Danny Murphy, and bounced home.

Villa could argue they deserved more. Their midfield was competitive and creative, but Juan Pablo Angel got nowhere and David O’Leary’s side created only one decent opening, saved at his near post superbly by Jones from Darius Vassell.

Owen summed up his and Liverpool’s attitude, saying: “I was disappointed not to hit the target but that sharpness will come back.

“The first game back after injury is always tough but the most important thing was that we won. It was a big three points for us.”

Houllier was also relieved with another win, despite the methods needed to grind it out.

He said: “We wanted to capitalise on the win at Chelsea. I was fearing that sometimes after such a good game and with so much effort, that you can have a dip, a little depression.

“When there is a high level of emotion you can sense a dip, but this time we actually increased the effort and the boys handled that.”

Villa chief O’Leary said: “We had Liverpool hanging on at the end. They looked nervous before the break, and afterwards. In fact, when they went in at the break with that lucky goal lead they would probably have been happy for the match to end there.

“We gave everything and were unfortunate, but in fact we did not really make too many chances.”