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Fitness test Liverpool's title-winning hopes rely on healthy OwenPosted: Tuesday August 13, 2002 3:11 AMLONDON (Reuters) -- The World Cup confirmed both Michael Owen's enduring efficiency in front of goal and the Liverpool striker's worrying habit of picking up muscle injuries. Two smart finishes against Denmark and Brazil were a respectable tally for Owen in Japan. But on the eve of the new Premier League season, concerns remain about the fragility of a 22-year-old who has already played in two World Cups and over 200 games for his club. Owen said he played, and scored, in England's 2-1 World Cup quarterfinal defeat by Brazil despite suffering from a groin injury. It is exactly the kind of muscle niggle that has cursed his outstanding career and in preseason Owen has picked up another hamstring tweak. "My first resolution for the new season is to get rid of all the problems with injuries which have affected me in the past," Owen told British newspapers after revealing that he had not been fully fit for the Brazil game. "I already take good care of my body but I reckon I'll have to do even more if I'm going to clear up the injuries once and for all. "If you take away the explosive side of my game and I can't do things at full pace then it does affect me," he said. If Gerard Houllier's side are to move from being title contenders to title winners, they need Owen to stay healthy. "We have to be cautious with Michael," said their French manager. "I shall need to give all the World Cup players a break at some stage and allow them to switch off."
Diouf partnershipOwen's experience of five seasons in the most physically demanding league in Europe is clearly a major asset. Several new signings will be trying to bed down at Liverpool this season and Owen's promotion to the post of England vice-captain last season was also recognition of the respect his ability commands among fellow professionals. Senegal forward El Hadji Diouf is one new arrival who should benefit from Owen's experience and the African footballer of the year's ability to run with the ball and link with his fellow forwards should suit Owen down to the ground. Although his all-around play is improving, Owen's principal asset remains goalscoring, a fact perfectly illustrated in England's defeat by Brazil, when he scored but did precious little else. Fragile as a butterfly, Owen still stings like a bee when fit. His tally of 111 strikes in 205 Liverpool games is exceptional and a healthy 27 of those came last season. As the new season starts, Liverpool and England will be hoping it is Owen's calm finishing rather than the precarious state of his fitness that attracts the nation's attention. Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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