Liverpool: no regrets

The European Champions had sought to re-sign Owen after the England international failed to secure a regular place at Real Madrid, but were outbid by Premier League rivals Newcastle United.

"We already have five or six strikers, but Neil Mellor is injured at the moment and we were keen to have Michael back in case of any more injuries," Benitez added at the end of a two-day elite coaches' forum at UEFA's Swiss headquarters.

"We tried our best right up to the end, but you cannot control the market," Benitez told reporters at the end of a two-day elite coaches' forum at UEFA's Swiss headquarters.

The European Champions had sought to re-sign Owen after the England international failed to secure a regular place at Real Madrid, but were outbid by Premier League rivals Newcastle United.

"We already have five or six strikers, but Neil Mellor is injured at the moment and we were keen to have Michael back in case of any more injuries," Benitez added.

"We talked to Michael, but in the end Newcastle offered a lot of money for him and Real Madrid told him he had to go there.

Liverpool reportedly offered Real Madrid in the region of the 8.0 million pounds ($14.72 million) they received from Real last year, but Newcastle offered around twice that amount and secured the player on a four-year contract.

Liverpool's inability to bring back Owen appears to have at least ended the transfer rumours surrounding the one of the club's existing strikers Djibril Cisse -- although Benitez insisted that the French international had not been fazed by premature reports of his departure.

"The rumours about Cisse were already going around before we beat CSKA Moscow in the Super Cup last week, and he still managed to score two goals for us that night," he said.

"We tried our best right up to the end, but you cannot control the market," Benitez told reporters at the end of a two-day elite coaches' forum at UEFA's Swiss headquarters.

The European Champions had sought to re-sign Owen after the England international failed to secure a regular place at Real Madrid, but were outbid by Premier League rivals Newcastle United.

"We already have five or six strikers, but Neil Mellor is injured at the moment and we were keen to have Michael back in case of any more injuries," Benitez added.

Liverpool reportedly offered Real Madrid in the region of the 8.0 million pounds ($14.72 million) they received from Real last year, but Newcastle offered around twice that amount and secured the player on a four-year contract.

Liverpool's inability to bring back Owen appears to have at least ended the transfer rumours surrounding the one of the club's existing strikers Djibril Cisse -- although Benitez insisted that the French international had not been fazed by premature reports of his departure.

"The rumours about Cisse were already going around before we beat CSKA Moscow in the Super Cup last week, and he still managed to score two goals for us that night," he said.

"Cisse knows what he has to do -- work hard, try to score goals and stay fit all season."

"He did well at Real Madrid by scoring goals despite not starting many games but, then, that should always be possible at an attacking club like Real Madrid where the strikers get so many opportunities."

Liverpool reportedly offered Real Madrid in the region of the 8.0 million pounds ($14.72 million) they received from Real last year, but Newcastle offered around twice that amount and secured the player on a four-year contract.

Liverpool's inability to bring back Owen appears to have at least ended the transfer rumours surrounding the one of the club's existing strikers Djibril Cisse -- although Benitez insisted that the French international had not been fazed by premature reports of his departure.

"The rumours about Cisse were already going around before we beat CSKA Moscow in the Super Cup last week, and he still managed to score two goals for us that night," he said.