Houllier Praises Owen

Liverpool Boss Gerard Houllier praised forward Micheal Owen after the England star hit a Hat-trick at Maine Road earlier today.

Owen has come under pressure after failing to hit the net for Liverpool in open play this season before todays game.

The Hat-trick is Owens 8th of his career so far and as far as Boss Houllier was concerned he never doubted that Owen would not get back to his best.

"The physio, masseur and all the coaching staff would have been on the pitch if they could when he scored the first," said the Anfield chief.

"Michael knew he had the 100% support of everyone at the club during his recent lean spell. His feet are still quick, mentally he is still quick and his game awareness is superb.

"He gave us a sign after the first one that everything was okay but we knew that anyway.

"He hasn't been the happiest man in training on the days after he has missed a few chances but other than that there has been no evidence of the situation affecting him.

"People were hammering him 18 months ago and he finished the year as European Footballer of the Year. At 21, his mental strength then was amazing.

"It has to be remembered he had an injury when he came back from the World Cup and it always takes a couple of games for him to get back into it."