Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers insists he never considered bringing back Michael Owen.

Owen, released by Manchester United, signed for Stoke City last week.

"Liverpool didn't consider Michael Owen," Rodgers told Talksport. "If we didn't get the targets that we hoped to get in the transfer window, I was going to go with what I had.

"There's no point putting money into the academy and then not giving young players a chance. Look at the impact Raheem Sterling has made as a 17-year-old. All I've given him is an opportunity and he's gone on and taken it.

"We've got a number of other young talents and hopefully over the coming months we can see them and see how they flourish."