Michael Owen will be staying with Real Madrid despite being limited so far to a part-time role, his former Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard says.
Reports have linked him with a move back to Liverpool but Reds captain Gerrard is convinced his England colleague is committed to making a name for himself in Spain rather than returning to Anfield.
"He loves the club and he is doing really well," said Gerrard who regularly speaks to his old Liverpool colleague by telephone.
"He wants to stay. He has settled really well and likes the city. He is scoring goals - and if he plays more, which is what he wants, then things would be even better," the Anfield skipper added.
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry is also refusing to fuel speculation of an early return to Merseyside for Owen, who left last summer in a deal which saw Antonio Nunez and £8million heading in the opposite direction.
The Reds retain first option to re-sign the former fans' favourite, but Parry said: "Talk of Michael returning here or going anywhere is premature. He is a world-class player and won't want to be seen as failing."
