Macca - Owen won't stay at Liverpool

Real Madrid midfielder Steve McManaman believes that Liverpool striker Michael Owen will, like him, leave Anfield before his career is over.

Owen, who is still just 21, signed a new deal with the UEFA Cup champions on Thursday that will see him stay at Anfield until 2005.

The in-form England international has said that he wants to retire from the game at Liverpool but Macca does not believe a word of it.

"Signing a new contract is the best thing Michael could have done but I don't think he'll keep to his word and stay with Liverpool until the end of his career," Macca told reporters.

"I'd bet that he'll leave Anfield before 2006. He'll be 26, have 11 years of experience, enough necessary to seek new challenges elsewhere."

But Macca reckons that his mate Robbie Fowler will find it difficult to move on now he's hit 26.

"It's too late for Robbie to change his style of play, but not for Michael. I know from experience that's it's good to search for new goals," he ended.