Owen: I don't need Heskey

It has long been thought that Owen much preferred to play alongside former Leicester striker Emile Heskey for both the Reds and England. In recent weeks, though, Owen has found himself partnered by players such as Wayne Rooney - for England - and Czech star Milan Baros at club level. Owen believes that he can adapt his game to suit whoever is chosen to play next to him.

Owen told LFC magazine: "It's been said that you can't have two similar people playing up front. But Robbie (Fowler) and I scored a lot of goals together.

"I have played with the likes of Alan Shearer in World Cups and European Championships, and he is someone who scores lots of goals. I've probably had one of my best games for England alongside him in the World Cup, and he also played well in the World Cup. It's only about getting an understanding and adapting your game to other people.

"If Emile wasn't so big and so strong and good in the air, then I wouldn't run behind him and try to get flick-ons. Likewise, if Milan's playing, you adapt your game again to what he is going to do.

"I don't agree with the view that you can only have a big man and a little man up front, or a goalscorer and a non-goalscorer.

"Okay, it may be nice on the eye to see someone like Bergkamp with Henry up front, but as a striker you adapt your game to whoever is playing alongside you.

"I'm sure that if I played 30 games up front with Emile and 30 games up front with Milan I'd get a similar amount of goals."