Hat-trick hero Owen’s done a Platini, says Houllier

GERARD HOULLIER has compared hat-trick hero Michael Owen with French legend Michel Platini.

Owen's super treble to sink Spartak Moscow in the freezing Russian capital warmed up Liverpool's quest for glory in the Champions League as well as the Barclaycard Premiership.

The England striker has now scored eight goals in 25 days for club and country, including two hat-tricks, and the 3-1 win over Spartak will have sent warning signs around Europe that the player is back to his best.