Reds keen to keep star duo

With the two Englishmen being arguably the only world-class talents available to Gerard Houllier, Parry knows that both must be tied down to new contracts in the very near future.

Parry said: "Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen are two of our key players, we are determined to hang onto them.

"We are always very aware of when players' contracts run out, and equally we are aware that they are key players and we have no intention of losing either of them.

"We don't just talk to players' agents every three years and then don't sit down and discuss things for another three years.

"We are in constant touch with players' advisors and their agents, discussions are ongoing. But equally this is not an issue at the moment.

"We have no intention of losing our key players and we will hang onto them.''

Both Owen and Gerrard have made it clear that they would welcome any invitation to extend their stay at Anfield.