Owen ‘wanted to wrap season up’ after Pompey penalty miss

MICHAEL OWEN has spoken of his pain and anguish when he misses penalties – and his obsession with playing for Liverpool and scoring goals.

Owen has now failed with his last two spot kicks, making it 10 misses in 23 career penalties for the club, and comes under intense scrutiny as his goalscoring form has waned just when Liverpool need him most.

Despite having scored just four in his last 19 matches the 24-year-old England striker has received the full backing and support of boss Gerard Houllier.

The Anfield club prepare for a make-or-break showdown with relegation-haunted Portsmouth the first of two home games in four days that could decide whether they are going to hold onto their dream of fourth spot in the Barclaycard Premiership and a Champions League place.

And with talks about to start this month over Owen's new contract, he revealed his frustration when a spot kick is missed or he plays in a disappointing Liverpool performance.

In an interview with the club's LiverpoolFC magazine after Owen's penalty miss at Portsmouth in the FA Cup replay defeat last month before he compounded that effort by missing again from the spot on Sunday at Southampton Owen explained his frustrations. "In my eyes that first Portsmouth game was probably one of my lowest points ever. It was one of the most frustrating I have ever played in. The manager was under pressure from outside influences, and I missed a penalty.

"That day was as bad as I have ever felt. I was so low I just wanted to wrap the season up there and then.

"Before that Portsmouth game we had practised our penalties all the way through the week because it was an FA Cup replay which could have gone into a shoot-out.

"Let's just say I was on a high, I thought I couldn't miss a penalty that week. Then the game comes round and you miss your first out of 100. You think 'how's that happened?'

Since that day Owen has now missed another south coast penalty. He faces being blamed for Liverpool's exit from the FA Cup and possible failure to reach the Champions League. It is pressure that many would feel intolerable.

But he said: "Apart from the odd moment, I always look forward to playing and achieving. We are still in the UEFA Cup and we have got to get into the Champions League. They are still targets to aim for.

Steve Finnan will miss the Pompey game with the shoulder injury that forced him out against Southampton.

Also out are Vladimir Smicer (Achilles), Chris Kirkland (broken wrist), Salif Diao (calf), Anthony Le Tallec (ankle) and probably Bruno Cheyrou (leg).