Owen on crest of a wave
It has been quite an amazing few days for the 23-year-old England striker. He has topped 100 Premiership goals, equalled his best season goals tally of 28 and witnessed the birth of daughter Gemma Rose to girlfriend Louise on Thursday. Last weekend, Owen dedicated his four goals against West Brom to his then unborn first child. Now you can be sure he will want to wet the baby’s head with more goals at home to Manchester City, a club he just loves to score against.
Liverpool boss Houllier said: “It’s been a great week for Michael, now it can surely only get better.”
Owen has already netted a hat-trick against Manchester City this season, goals back in late September that were his first strikes from open play in Liverpool’s opening nine matches after he had returned shattered and injured from the World Cup.
Houllier stuck by Owen when he had a mid-season drought and is now reaping the rewards.
Houllier said: “Michael has improved dramatically this season. I said all along that he would be at his sharpest at the end of the season, and that’s what has happened.
“Now I believe he will be even better next term. He is sharp and efficient, he has improved his fitness and has overcome his injury problems now.”
Liverpool will be bidding for their eighth win in nine Premiership games. And with Champions League qualification still very much in their sights, they expect to have available three players who missed midweek internationals through injury.
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