New Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has said securing the future of England
internationals Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard is one of his top priorities
after taking over at Anfield.
Benitez, who has signed a five-year contract as Gerard Houllier's successor
after leaving Spanish champions Valencia, will hold talks with Owen and captain
Gerrard once their involvement in Euro 2004 is over.
"I need players like them, with good mentality and quality. They are very
important to us," he said on Wednesday.
Gerrard has been linked in some newspapers with a move to Chelsea, while
Owen, whose current deal finishes at the end of next season, is yet to sign a
new contract.
However, the pair were consulted over the appointment of Benitez and the
44-year-old Spaniard is keen to keep the English core of the side together, with
Danny Murphy and Jamie Carragher also seen as key players.
"We need to have a very good team, with the very good players we have here at
the moment," Benitez added.
Liverpool, who last won the English championship in 1990, sacked Houllier
last month after never seriously competing for the league title during his six
years in charge.
They finished fourth in the premier league last season, 30 points behind
champions Arsenal and well adrift of Chelsea and Manchester United.
Benitez said it would be hard to close the gap on those three sides in his
first season, but he was ready for a new challenge after winning two Spanish
league titles in three years with Valencia, as well as the UEFA Cup last season.
"I want the supporters to be proud of the team, the manager, the players and
the club. We need to work well and at the end we will win," he said.
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry said: "He is not promising instant
success, but he has an outstanding track-record and a real appetite. We are
looking forward to working with him and I am sure the supporters will be right
behind him."
