Soccer: We must beware of Owen - Westerveld

Liverpool keeper Sander Westerveld has warned his Holland team-mates that Michael Owen is getting back to his best.

Both Westerveld and Owen were celebrating on Sunday when they beat Manchester United in the Charity Shield.

But on Wednesday they will be in rival camps when England face Holland in a friendly at White Hart Lane.

Owen got the second goal against United, which followed his hat-trick in the Champions League first leg victory over Finnish side FC Haka.

Westerveld has nothing but admiration for the way the striker has bounced back from niggling hamstring problems.

"Michael is one of the best strikers in the world," he said. "He is really on fire at the moment.

"He is top quality and, as he showed last season, he gives his best in the big games.

"You look at the way he has been performing in pre-season. The way he has bounced back from last year is unbelievable."

Liverpool picked up three trophies last season and their three main strikers, Owen, Robbie Fowler and Emile Heskey were all called up by England.

"I think England can really relax as they have three quality strikers to call on," added Westerveld, who, for his part, is looking sharp going into the new campaign and was delighted to have picked up the man-of the-match award in the Charity Shield.