Owen has yet to find the net since he grabbed his ninth goal of the campaign in a 3-1 win over Leeds United back in October, but Gerard Houllier feels his influential forward is entering the best years of his sparkling career.
Houllier said: "You may love the money, you may love the fame, but you must lovethe game first and foremost, and Michael has such great enthusiasm for the game.
"It is one of the reasons why I like David Beckham so much. He has the fame and the riches but in every game he plays he gives everything he has.
"Players can only improve if they give their all all of the time, which applies to both matches and training. Beckham does that and so does Michael.
"He is always a threat, even when he doesn't score. He makes so many breaks and openings for other people and creates plenty of goals for his team-mates.
"Michael's skill has improved as has his game awareness. He drops and links well and he very seldom gives the ball away now.
"I would say he is very close to becoming a complete player and once he scores on the goals will start flowing again. It always goes like that for him after injury."