Rafael Benitez has held preliminary discussions with Robbie Fowler about the Liverpool star's future at Anfield.

Although Benitez declined to shed any more light on the prospect of Fowler winning a new contract, the carrot was clearly being dangled for the striker to finally prove his worth.

But what is becoming increasingly evident is that Benitez is coldly assessing Fowler's long-term potential without any sentimentality, and he obviously has doubts.

Fowler (30) is expected to start against Bolton on Sunday in a crucial Premiership game, having had Benitez's requirements spelt out to him.

Benitez said: "I have been talking with Robbie and I am happy with him. We are not in a hurry and he knows why. We have two clear options, for Robbie to stay or look for another team.

"We need to decide but he knows our idea and is continuing to work as hard as he can on his fitness.

"He knows my ideas, we are happy with him but not in a hurry and he knows why. He clearly understands the situation, it is not a problem between him and us.

"He knows that we need to decide in maybe three weeks or a month, and he needs to continue to work hard but we know he is a good finisher and a good player.

"But we need to know how he will play next season and what level his physical condition will allow him to play at."

Fowler is prepared to be patient and wait for Benitez's decision, but is aware that new strikers could be signed in the summer and that some of the current four front men at Anfield could become expendable.

Benitez needs all his strikers on top form as Liverpool continue their pursuit of Manchester United in second place, the Old Trafford men being five points clear with a game in hand.

Benitez said: "We will keep going until the end of the season to try and catch Manchester United for second place and we won't be giving it up.

"If we can beat Bolton we will be on 70 points and if you analyse our season we have made big progress. We won the Super Cup and almost won the Toyota Cup where we had three goals disallowed which I still find unbelievable." PA