Haukur Gudnason
::President Scouser::
Michael Owen today hit out at those who have questioned his loyalty to Liverpool and insisted he remains as committed to the club as he has ever been.
After Steven Gerrard signed a new Anfield deal last week speculation immediately turned to Owen's future, with some people suggesting he will be leaving the club before his contract expires at the end of next season.
But the Liverpool ace today slammed those suggestions, and even revealed initial talks over a new deal have started.
Owen said: "After Steven Gerrard signed his new contract, it was inevitable all the attention would turn to me and my future.
"The stories which followed resulted from some comments which I gave to a magazine several months ago. Some of the words I never even said and the rest were taken completely out of context.
"They have led to a lot of false claims that I will walk out on Liverpool if we don't get into the Champions League. It has all got completely out of hand.
"I switched on Sky Sports on Wednesday and they were running polls asking viewers to ring in and vote on whether I should stay or go.
"There were critical e-mails suggesting I was holding the club to ransom and should be sold because I didn't want to play for the club. My loyalty and commitment was being questioned.
"I found that very upsetting. I want every supporter to know that I am as committed to Liverpool as any player at the club. I have been the same ever since I first came to Anfield as an 11-year-old.
"I believe my ambitions can be fulfilled at Liverpool. I find it a little insulting that, after 12 years' service, my loyalty is being questioned.
"I have signed five contracts with Liverpool and on each occasion they have been sorted out very quickly and satisfactorily.
"The comments which have been made about me this week have come from people who don't know the truth.
"I wouldn't normally comment on gossip and speculation but I felt I should put the record straight for allLiverpool fans.
"I am certain 99 per cent of them understand the situation anyway. But, as usual, these stories have been fuelled by people that simply don't know the facts."
Owen admits talks over a new deal are already underway, but he insists there is no rush from either party to conclude a quick deal.
Owen said: "The initial talks were very positive and encouraging and they will continue next year. There is no immediate rush. Don't forget, I still have 18 months left on my contract.
"I am not panicking and I know the Liverpool manager, chairman and chief executive are not panicking either. I cannot help it if some people are jumping to the wrong conclusions. There are plenty of good reasons why I should want to stay at Liverpool.
"I have never been happier with my life off the field. I became a dad for the first time earlier this year and have just moved into my new house. Also, my family live close buy and everyone knows what a family-orientated person I am.
"Of course, I want to play in the Champions League but I am no different to anyone else at Liverpool. The whole club needs it because of the profile and the money it generates. But I have never said I will leave if we don't qualify next season.
"As far as speculation linking me with Spanish clubs is concerned, I cannot comment about that because I don't know anything about it.
"But I have never categorically stated I want to play abroad. A few years ago I said it is an option I might want to consider at some time in the future.
"But I am still only 23 and, hopefully, I have a lot of time left in my career to weigh up those kind of possibilities.
"But I do know that I could not see myself playing for another Premiership club at this stage of my career."
well that puts an end to THAT.
After Steven Gerrard signed a new Anfield deal last week speculation immediately turned to Owen's future, with some people suggesting he will be leaving the club before his contract expires at the end of next season.
But the Liverpool ace today slammed those suggestions, and even revealed initial talks over a new deal have started.
Owen said: "After Steven Gerrard signed his new contract, it was inevitable all the attention would turn to me and my future.
"The stories which followed resulted from some comments which I gave to a magazine several months ago. Some of the words I never even said and the rest were taken completely out of context.
"They have led to a lot of false claims that I will walk out on Liverpool if we don't get into the Champions League. It has all got completely out of hand.
"I switched on Sky Sports on Wednesday and they were running polls asking viewers to ring in and vote on whether I should stay or go.
"There were critical e-mails suggesting I was holding the club to ransom and should be sold because I didn't want to play for the club. My loyalty and commitment was being questioned.
"I found that very upsetting. I want every supporter to know that I am as committed to Liverpool as any player at the club. I have been the same ever since I first came to Anfield as an 11-year-old.
"I believe my ambitions can be fulfilled at Liverpool. I find it a little insulting that, after 12 years' service, my loyalty is being questioned.
"I have signed five contracts with Liverpool and on each occasion they have been sorted out very quickly and satisfactorily.
"The comments which have been made about me this week have come from people who don't know the truth.
"I wouldn't normally comment on gossip and speculation but I felt I should put the record straight for allLiverpool fans.
"I am certain 99 per cent of them understand the situation anyway. But, as usual, these stories have been fuelled by people that simply don't know the facts."
Owen admits talks over a new deal are already underway, but he insists there is no rush from either party to conclude a quick deal.
Owen said: "The initial talks were very positive and encouraging and they will continue next year. There is no immediate rush. Don't forget, I still have 18 months left on my contract.
"I am not panicking and I know the Liverpool manager, chairman and chief executive are not panicking either. I cannot help it if some people are jumping to the wrong conclusions. There are plenty of good reasons why I should want to stay at Liverpool.
"I have never been happier with my life off the field. I became a dad for the first time earlier this year and have just moved into my new house. Also, my family live close buy and everyone knows what a family-orientated person I am.
"Of course, I want to play in the Champions League but I am no different to anyone else at Liverpool. The whole club needs it because of the profile and the money it generates. But I have never said I will leave if we don't qualify next season.
"As far as speculation linking me with Spanish clubs is concerned, I cannot comment about that because I don't know anything about it.
"But I have never categorically stated I want to play abroad. A few years ago I said it is an option I might want to consider at some time in the future.
"But I am still only 23 and, hopefully, I have a lot of time left in my career to weigh up those kind of possibilities.
"But I do know that I could not see myself playing for another Premiership club at this stage of my career."
well that puts an end to THAT.
