With Owen looking to regain his sparkling best form against Portsmouth tonight, Houlliuer has refuted rumours that his star forward's mind is far away from Liverpool's quest for Champions League football.
Houllier said: "I don't think he goes into a game thinking about his contract. I've asked him and it is not a problem. I am sure he would like to have it sorted out quickly, but it is down to his representatives and Rick Parry to arrange a date. They know what we think about it. It is down to them to get down and talk about the contract in the coming weeks.
"But the reason he is downcast at the moment is not because of contracts but because he cares. It's as simple as that."