Robbie Fowler has agreed a new, one-year contract to remain at Liverpool after convincing Rafael Benitez to retain his services, and the striker already hopes he can play a part in claiming the club's first championship since 1990.

The 31-year-old has scored four goals in 15 appearances since signing a short-term contract on leaving Manchester City in January and will sign the 12-month deal next week.

"I had been treating every game as if it could be my last for Liverpool, but now I've got the added incentive of knowing I'll get more chances to wear the shirt next season," he said.

"This club is going places. If you look at the table this season compared with last there's been a big improvement. Hopefully, we can take it a bit further next season. I'd love to be part of a Liverpool side who win the league championship and I am sure the manager is on the right lines.

"I was buzzing when I got a six-month deal so you can imagine how happy I am now."

Negotiations between club and player were resolved within an hour, so keen was Fowler to remain at Anfield.

"This was not an emotional decision, because, if it had been, I'd have made it a month ago," said Benitez, who is hoping the striker will be fit enough to play up to 40 games next season.

"I delayed because I was analysing everything, talking with the coaching staff, the medical staff and the chief executive. We have balanced all the positives and risks and this is where we are. He clearly has a lot of qualities but we needed to analyse his physical situation. It's a nice story that he is not thinking about money but about playing for this club."

Fowler should play his part at Portsmouth tomorrow as Liverpool pursue Manchester United with second place at stake. The Premiership runners-up will qualify automatically for the Champions League and, while the side who finish third will still be expected to secure passage through a qualifying tie in August, second place would guarantee up to £15 million of revenue from the European group stages.

Such money will be crucial for Malcolm Glazer's United. They must overcome Charlton Athletic at Old Trafford in Alan Curbishley's final game in charge of the visitors, having been frustrated by goalless draws against Sunderland and Middlesbrough in their last two home matches.

"It's a massive game," said United manager Alex Ferguson. "We have to finish second, and hopefully a determined performance will get us there."

Liverpool have finished above United only once in the Premiership and, while Benitez was anxious to stress that third place would not render the campaign a disappointment, the benefits of ending as runners-up stretch beyond mere finance.

"It would be better for the club to finish second and to be sure we'll be in the Champions League and also in terms of training, we'd have an extra 15 days without a competitive midweek game," he said.

"But it wouldn't be the end of the world. We'd be extremely happy finishing third. It would be fantastic to finish second."

Guardian Service