Liverpool legend Ian Rush has admitted he would have preferred to see Michael Owen return to Anfield.

The England striker is set to secure a shock switch to Liverpool's rivals Manchester United after his contract at Newcastle expired.

The move will send shockwaves through the game but Rush knows that Owen has not been courted by Liverpool because he is not needed by boss Rafael Benitez.

"Personally, I'd like to have seen him at Liverpool but they haven't lost their best strikers," Rush told Sky Sports News. "He (manager Rafael Benitez) will be happy with what he's got."