Football: Liverpool on alert after Owen comments; Liverpool monitor Owen situation.

Byline: IAN DOYLE

LIVERPOOL will monitor Michael Owen's situation after the striker revealed his frustration at Real Madrid.

The former Anfield forward is concerned that his lack of first-team football at the Bernabeu may jeopardise his chances of playing in next year's World Cup with England.

Owen has started just one of six matches since Brazilian Wanderly Luxemburgo became the third coach of the season at Madrid. And the 25 year -old has been linked with a move to Arsenal in the summer in a swap deal which would see the unsettled Jose Antonio Reyes move the other way.

But Liverpool would have any first option on Owen under the terms of the transfer which saw him move to Madrid in August.

"I want to play 90 minutes every week and until I hang up my boots I will always want to do that," said Owen, who came off the bench to score Madrid's equaliser in the 2-1 win at Osasuna last night.

"At the moment I am trying to play as much as I can. Sometimes I feel I am happy. Then the next week I might be on the bench and I am a bit low in myself again. It is frustrating because I want to play 90 minutes. It is not the best way to prepare for the next World Cup. ''

With the likes of Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney and Andrew Johnson all fighting it out for an England place, Owen is under pressure for a starting role with England, and national coach Sven Goran Eriksson has admitted the striker's situation at the Bernabeu is far from ideal.

Owen's goal last night was his 12th in 24 appearances for Real, and proved the catalyst for a comeback as Ivan Helguera grabbed the winner.

Luxemburgo concedes Owen is doing everything right in training. He said: ``I like him a lot in training. He is always willing, ready to listen to things. He is a bit introverted, but he has got character.

``He is bound to get angry and feel sad. He is a player of the top level. He plays for his country as an automatic starter, he has been in the first team all the time for his previous club (Liverpool).

``The problem we have is Raul and Ronaldo. But I can say Owen will play more. Raul and Ronaldo are not always going to start every game.

``Owen has to play. The line-up we have had so far is just one of many. ''

CAPTION(S):

Real's Michael Owen celebrates last night