Hard life in the Three Lions’ den

Interviewing Michael Owen, in Dublin last Sunday, the talk was always going to be dominated by his old club, Liverpool, and their latest quest for European glory, writes Liam Mackey.

And that was even before Mo Salah worked his magic against Roma, at Anfield.

But, not least because Owen’s face still retains the boyish appearance of yesteryear, no conversation with him would be complete without reference to World Cups past and the looming resumption of England’s quest, if not for glory, then at least to avoid ignominy, in Russia.