Owen eager for new season

The 23-year-old showed signs of his best form in the final games of what was a largely disappointing season for the Reds, and he feels he can can carry this form into a fresh campaign that promises so much more for the Anfield side now that attacking flair such as Harry Kewell and Steve Finnan has been bought to add support to the England man.

Owen said: "I'm hoping I'll start next season for Liverpool just as well as I ended that one.

"It will be a big season for us next year and I'll be hopefully I'll have the European Championships to look forward to.

"I never felt right at the end of the World Cup a year ago and when I started last season I wasn't as sharp as I wanted to be.

"I feel totally different now and with a good pre-season. all things being well I can get off to a good start and continue my goalscoring form."