Sport 11-08-2004 Owen Spectates As Gerrard Shines who: Michael Owen what: Sits on the sidelines as Liverpool beat AK Graz 0-2 where: Austria when: Last night snippet: If the newspapers are to be believed, Michael Owen will not be signing a new contract with Liverpool. Last night he watched from the bench as Steven Gerrard scored two fine goals to win 0-2 in their Champions` League third round first leg qualifier against AK Graz in Austria. The pundits take his absence from the field as a signal that Owen`s bosses at Anfield do not wish to devalue him - had he played last night, he would be ineligible to play for another team in UEFA competition this season. "With the transfer window due to close at the end of August, time is precious to Liverpool," notes The Telegraph`s William Johnson. If Owen, who has scored 158 goals in 297 appearances for Liverpool, decides to move on, Madrid are front-runners for the 24-year-old striker`s signature, ahead of their Spanish rivals Barcelona who have for several months expressed a desire to take him to the Nou Camp. "I always play my best players and I decided on my starting eleven and Owen was not in it," says Benítez, quoted by the BBC talking to the press after the game and staunchly refusing to answer any direct questions about Owen`s future. "It was simple, I chose Baros to play. I have four forwards and I decided to start with Baros." "Does Benítez want to break down the locally-produced core of Gérard Houllier`s team, in order to give himself something easier to mould?" ponders The Guardian`s Richard Williams. "Or are Owen`s advisers using the story of Spanish interest as a means to persuade Liverpool to concede a disputed contractual point?" [... more]

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