THE big question is why did everyone doubt Michael Owen in the first place?
Dried up, burnt out and a spent force at 22 years of age. Do me a favour! Liverpool striker Owen stormed back to form with a stunning hat-trick at Manchester City - and now watch him go.
Now you could bet your mortgage on him getting 20-plus goals this season after ending his barren run of 11 games without scoring from open play.
It just amazes me that Owen's lean spell attracted so many detractors and doubters because he is a talent who will not become second-rate overnight.
Owen said himself that he is held up as one of the best in the world when he scores a hat-trick and only a half-decent striker when he doesn't hit the target.
The truth is that at 22, Owen is somewhere in between. But at that tender age he will develop and find that consistency level, goal ratio and success that every world-class striker boasts.
Owen is already in the world-class bracket but at his age there is bound to be some blips along the way as any pro supposedly does not hit his peak until about 27 years of age.
Just think about the glorious and wonderful career ahead of Owen, who is already the current European Footballer of the Year.
And what a year he has had already - picking up that gong, leading England's attack in the World Cup and playing in the Champions League with Liverpool.
Sadly, that is all bound to take its toll and a player who is as reliant on pace and being sharp as Owen is, is bound to suffer after a gruelling season and a World Cup.
But for all Owen's supposed failings in front of goal this season, he has still been playing well, getting into goal-scoring positions and setting up team-mates.
His positioning, movement and ability to beat defenders also have been outstanding this term.
And his barren spell has not mattered that much either because Liverpool have hit 20 goals in their last eight games and the form of Milan Baros has also lifted some of the pressure on Owen's shoulders.
Gerard Houllier also has been first class in his handling of his top striker. All along he has been saying: "What's the problem?" and backing him every step of the way.
Houllier should know too - he works with him every day. There is no doubt that he will be rested again, with Houllier saying he will be pleased if he completes 70 per cent of Liverpool's games. But for all the big Premiership and Champions League clashes, Owen will start every game. He is irreplaceable for Liverpool and England and, for that reason, needs careful treatment.
However, at the same time Owen also needs to be playing week-in and week-out to get the sort of sharpness and touch that he needs in his game.
It is a delicate balance between over-playing and rest and one which Houllier and Sven Goran Eriksson respect. That will reap its own rewards because Owen will have a great season for Liverpool and England.
Owen is undoubtedly back now. His first goal at Maine Road was like a dream - it came to him in a flash and he never even had to think about it. It was scored from pure instinct.
That is Owen all over and now his goals can help Liverpool turn a series of frustrating draws into wins and help them emerge as Arsenal's strongest rivals in the Premiership title race.
Arsenal are undoubtedly out on their own as the best team in the country at the moment but Liverpool have thrown away points against Newcastle, Blackburn and Birmingham and could so easily have been sitting on top of the table now.
Liverpool are stronger defensively than Manchester United who have suffered this season when Ruud van Nistelrooy is missing or injured. Sir Alex Ferguson cannot afford to rest him at the moment.
Owen has needed a break this season and has come back stronger and Liverpool have the resources to give him a break.