RAFAEL BENÍTEZ has already risked his popularity at Anfield over Michael Owen once and, having subsequently led Liverpool to the European Cup in his first season in charge, he will not be fearful at having done so for a second time. The Spaniard was prepared to welcome back the prodigal son 12 months after selling him to Real Madrid, but not at any cost — and certainly not for more than twice the £8 million fee the Merseyside side received for him last August.

Steven Gerrard, making his position abundantly clear, ventured recently that it would be “a nightmare” if Owen was allowed to return to any other Premiership club, but, while others at Anfield might shudder in years to come as they reflect on the way the saga unfolded, Benítez is unlikely to dwell too long on the matter as he continues his attempt to address two more pressing vacancies in his squad by signing a centre half and a right winger before the transfer window closes tonight.

Reports in Italy last night claimed that Daniele Bonera, the Parma defender, was the latest in a long list of centre halves about whom Benítez has inquired, while rumours in the Midlands proposed Zoltan Gera, of West Bromwich Albion, as an alternative to Nolberto Solano, of Aston Villa, for the troublesome right-wing berth.

In the longer term, Benítez may have his work cut out to appease Djibril Cissé, the club’s £14 million record acquisition, who was understandably aggrieved to learn that he had been offered to Marseilles and AS Monaco in an attempt to make room for Owen. Speaking while on international duty with France yesterday, Cissé said: “I don’t want to leave Liverpool, but it annoyed me that I ’m being offered around the place to everyone. It is getting to me.

“I can’t help but wonder about the club’s attitude towards me. I’m sure Owen signing for Newcastle changes things. Who knows what’s going on in the minds of some people? All I can say is, I would consider it a huge shame were I to have to leave Liverpool.”

In the event, Cissé may prove to be the prime beneficiary of Owen’s move. After the sale of Milan Baros to Villa, Cissé, who scored twice in the Super Cup final victory over CSKA Moscow, is the only senior striker with the pace and predatory instinct needed to complement the more prosaic talents of Fernando Morientes and Peter Crouch.

Two deals were completed at Anfield yesterday as Benítez continued his youth recruitment drive by signing Besian Idrizaj, the Austria Under-19 midfield player, from Linzer AK, and Ramon Calliste, a 19-year-old forward who was released by Manchester United in the summer.