Premiership: I'm glad I don't face Owen, says Westerveld

Sander Westerveld is relieved he never has to cope with Michael Owen racing towards him.

The Liverpool goalkeeper, whose save to deny Thierry Henry was as important to the Anfield side’s FA Cup final success as Owen’s two goals, is happy to sit back and watch the young England striker cause mayhem at the other end of the pitch.

Now Westerveld has his heart set on Wednesday’s UEFA Cup final in Dortmund, having answered his critics by showing good form as Liverpool’s season reaches its climax.

Just ask Henry, who with Arsenal 1-0 up needed just to beat Westerveld from 12 yards to seal the cup. Westerveld stopped him and Liverpool went on to win 2-1.

‘‘Yes, my save from Henry when they were 1-0 ahead was important,’’ said Westerveld.

‘‘But I had been confronting him the same way all through the game. You know that Henry will always make a move at the last second so it’s important that you stay on your feet, to stand upright to the last to wait for him to do something or to shoot.

‘‘I thought he was going to take it to the side like he had done before and try to score with his left foot, but he shot directly and because I was still on me feet I was able to save it. I know in the end it was a crucial save.

‘‘But it’s not only me, Sami Hyypia cleared three off the line and the defence has been brilliant all season, and they were again in the final so I must give credit to them as well.’’

Westerveld will now hope Owen can cause the same damage to Alaves in Dortmund, and said: ‘‘I’m grateful that I don’t have to face Michael Owen in real matches.

‘‘Even when we are training and there are practice matches, I always try to go and work with the goalkeeping coach instead.

‘‘Michael must be a nightmare to face, he finishes so well, he’s so dangerous. Thankfully, I don’t have to have him running at me.

‘‘He’s absolutely on fire at the moment, but he can’t score without the ball and you have to get it to him. That’s what we finally managed to do so again, credit has to go to others, not just Michael.’’

Westerveld puts Liverpool’s success this season down to a better balance in the side as they go onto their two final matches of the campaign games 62 and 63 knowing that a European trophy and a place in the Champions League could be theirs by the weekend.

The Dutch keeper said: ‘‘We have a great mix of youth and experience, that’s the main reason we have done so much better than last season.

‘‘Last season Liverpool’s balance wasn’t as good as it is this year. Now you have young players who are very hungry and want to win prizes as well as people like (Gary) McAllister and the Germans, who are very experienced, and it’s a great mix, almost perfect.

‘‘But what we have now is a big squad and the rotation system works perfectly as well.’’