Reds to head scramble for Owen

Liverpool are already mulling over making a sensational move to bring Newcastle striker Michael Owen back to Anfield.

Owen’s contract at St James’ Park expires at the end of the season and so far this term the striker has made no moves to extend his deal.

The 28-year-old is understandably disillusioned with his football, despite interim boss Joe Kinnear continuing to name the England marksman as Newcastle captain.

The Magpies are next to bottom in the Premier League and football odds of 5.0 to be relegated, without a full-time boss and currently up for sale – leaving Owen with some serious thinking to do about his future.

Owen, who has scored 21 goals in 48 appearances for Newcastle, is believed to have been messed around by Toon officials after holding preliminary talks about his future some time ago and now it’s understood he has his mind set on a move away from the beleaguered club.

Liverpool are keen to strengthen their forward line as Rafa Benitez aims to build a squad that compete seriously for the Premier League title and in Europe. Benitez is keen to line up talks with Owen in January – when he will be able to negotiate a lucrative Bosman-style free-transfer move.

The former Real Madrid ace netted 118 goals in 216 appearances for the Merseysiders before leaving for Madrid in 2004 for £8million.

He will be welcomed back with open arms by Liverpool fans and linking up with Spanish hot-shot Fernando Torres would be a prospect that Owen would relish and a partnership that would get him firmly back in the plans of England boss Fabio Capello.

Money-bags Premier League rivals Manchester City are also set to show an interest in the Chester-born striker, but an emotional return to Anfield, the club where he started his professional career at 16, looks Owen’s likely destination.