Michael Owen has denied that Liverpool's desire to keep him led to their decision to discard Gerard Houllier. The striker's views on life at Anfield carry weight since he has to decide whether to sign a new contract or, with only a year left on his current deal, move to a new club.

Owen was at pains yesterday to dispel the idea that he was at loggerheads with Houllier, even if most observers thought he must be disaffected after a season in which he received scrappy service in a floundering team.

"Gerard Houllier joined Liverpool after the '98 World Cup, so most of my career has been under him," he said. "He's seen me grow as a player and I would like to think I am a better all-round player as a result. He's just about the only manager I have known. I haven't got a bad word to say about him."

Owen dismissed the suggestion that Houllier's removal was a condition he set during contract negotiations with the club.

"There were never any meetings," he stated. "I am not that type of person. I know it is being said but I am not sure it is worth responding to.

"Something will be sorted in the summer. I won't do a Bosman. I'm not trying to strangle every last penny out of everyone. I can't put a percentage chance on me signing a new contract. We'll have to see who the club appoints."

Meanwhile, Rafael Benitez's future at Valencia appeared in doubt last night despite a public insistence from the Spanish champions that their manager would resist any overtures from Liverpool and remain at the Mestalla.

It has emerged that Benitez, winner of two La Liga titles in the past three years, has a clause in his current deal, which expires next summer, that allows him to give just 15 days' written notice if he wishes to leave the club.

Liverpool are also believed to be interested in Porto's Jose Mourinho, Charlton's Alan Curbishley and former Southampton boss Gordon Strachan.

Guardian Service