Houllier said: "Michael will have a good tournament, I have no doubts about that. He was unfortunate to sustain a bad injury this season at a time when the goals were flying in. He is someone who rises to the big occasion, always delivers a big performance when one is needed.
"If you look at England's record with Michael and then without him in the side, there is a marked difference."
Houllier, currently linked with a swift return to football at Benfica, also feels that the Red and Blue half of Merseyside can be in perfect harmony in the form of a fearsome Owen/Rooney partnership.
Houllier added: "Rooney has everything a footballer needs. Strong, powerful, he knows instinctively what he is going to do with the ball when it arrives at his feet. That is the mark of a world class player.
I would play Michael behind Rooney."