Michael's not the Owen-ly one

The prolific England forward has topped the scoring charts at the club in every season he has played since breaking through as a fresh-faced 17-year-old, but Benitez insists that hero-status with the Kop will not ensure him of a first-team place in his regime.

Benitez said: "I don't want to build my team around Michael Owen. I don't want to build a team just around one player. If Michael is good then he will play but that applies to Pongolle, Cisse and Baros.

"They can play as well in the team so I want to get my team right and then decide what players will start."