Owen confident that goals will soon begin to flow freely again

ENGLAND striker Michael Owen is confident the goals will begin to flow freely again.

Owen got off the mark in the 2-2 draw against Newcastle on Monday night when he scored from the penalty spot.

But both he and international team-mate Emile Heskey squandered a number of chances that could have secured the points for Liverpool.

England coach Sven Goran-Eriksson will no doubt be hoping the pair have better luck on Saturday when Portugal visit Villa Park for a friendly.

Owen said: ‘‘Of course I’m pleased to get a goal but it didn’t win us the game so there’s a tinge of disappointment there as well.

‘‘There are two reasons why we didn’t win the game.

“We didn’t take enough of our chances when they came along and we didn’t defend as well as we normally do at the back. It’s very unlike us.

‘‘I had some good chances and of course I’m disappointed not to have scored a few more, but I know that if the chances do keep coming then I will score goals.

‘‘I wouldn’t say it was a question of me needing a lot of nerve to take the penalty.

‘‘If you don’t have the nerve in those situations then you shouldn’t be a striker really.

‘‘It was great to see the ball hit the net, but it’s just a shame we couldn’t hold on for victory.’’

Manager Gerard Houllier was left with a feeling of disbelief after Newcastle staged a rousing comeback.

He said: ‘‘We created a lot of chances. I don’t think we could have created any more. If we keep up that level of football, the points will come.

‘‘It is difficult to score goals at this level and when you get two it should be game over.

‘‘I think the form of the two strikers will get better and better as we continue to play matches.’’

Although Newcastle had £30m worth of talent on the bench at Liverpool, manager Bobby Robson reserved his praise for a player who cost the club nothing.

The player who merited special attention was 22-year-old Northern Ireland defender Aaron Hughes.

He capped an impressive display by scooping away Michael Owen’s effort off the line.

It is little wonder Robson is delighted to have tied up Hughes on a long-term contract that does not expire until 2007.

Brought to St James’ Park by Kevin Keegan in 1995, the boy from Cookstown made his international debut at 18 while still trying to find his way in the domestic game.

He eventually made his first start for his club at Barcelona, of all places, in the 1997/98 Champions League.

Under Robson’s guidance, Hughes has maintained his progress and captained the North for the first time earlier this year.