Benitez keeps Fowler waiting

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is refusing to shed any light on the future of Robbie Fowler – who concedes to being “in the dark“.

Fowler scored his fourth goal in five matches to sink Blackburn at Ewood Park, yet a new contract appears far from being offered.

After arriving on a short-term deal until the end of the season in the wake of his January transfer window move from Manchester City, Fowler is finding his feet again at Anfield.

There would appear to be nagging doubts at the back of Benitez’s mind, however, as the Spaniard claims: “We need to analyse more things.”

Maybe those doubts surround Fowler’s fitness because the 31-year-old again was not allowed to complete the 90 minutes.

Fowler, though, insists he is easily capable of doing so if only Benitez would afford him the opportunity.

“I feel okay at the moment,” confirmed Fowler. “I’m not finishing many games, but it’s the manager’s prerogative whether he wants to keep me on.

“I feel as though I could stay on for the 90, but the manager has a decision to make, and if he feels I'm not as fit as what I should be then it’s up to him.”

Fowler adds that all he can do to win over Benitez “is go out and play”, and after scoring his third successive goal – and second match-winner after bagging the only goal at Bolton nine days ago – maybe the Reds boss is leaning towards retaining the striker.

Not that Benitez is giving anything away because when asked whether he has come to a decision over Fowler, he replied: “No. If I say ’no’ it will be difficult for me, but he will understand, and if I say ’yes’ it will be good for me, him and the supporters,” added Benitez, who celebrated his 46th birthday yesterday.

“I am not in a hurry, but if he continues to score goals then it will be an easy decision. The more he scores, the more he’s likely to stay.”

It means Fowler has just four more games – maybe five if the Reds reach the FA Cup final – to convince Benitez he is worth a longer deal.

For now, Benitez can be thankful the uncertainty is not clouding Fowler’s mind, adding: “He is a very good professional.

“It’s not a problem whether or not he has a contract. He is working hard because he loves Liverpool.”

Yesterday’s winner, though, was shrouded in controversy as Fowler’s chested lay-off to a long throw from John Arne Riise was eventually picked up by an overlapping Fernando Morientes.

The ball had passed a clearly offside Djibril Cisse on the way, and although the Frenchman did not touch the ball, he feinted to do so and was therefore interfering with play.

Assistant referee Barry Sygmuta opted not to raise his flag, so allowing Morientes to tee up Fowler for a sidefoot finish from 10 yards.

The decision clearly angered the Blackburn players and manager Mark Hughes as the goal led to a defeat that has virtually ended their hopes of Champions League football for next season.

“The linesman has come out and said that because Cisse didn’t touch the ball then he didn’t raise his flag,” remarked Hughes.

“How does he know that when he is 60 yards away from the situation? He can’t make that decision.

“He has made his decision after watching it at half-time. But in my view it was a clear offside because Cisse is interfering with play.”

Liverpool’s seventh successive victory – and sixth in the Barclays Premiership - has moved them to within three points of Manchester United in second, albeit having played a game more.

The match was also a notable one for goalkeeper Jose Reina, with the Spain international beating Ray Clemence’s club record for goals conceded in his first half-century of Reds matches.

Reina has let in just 29 goals in his 50 games, compared to the 32 of Clemence back in 1970-71.