Owen: Summer is crucial for Reds

Last updated : 21 May 2003 By Chris Maxwell
23-year-old Owen knows only too well that last season was simply not good enough for a club of Liverpool's stature. Solving the problems that prevented the Reds from launching a championship challenge will be Houllier's greatest task in a summer thst sure to see a number of new faces arrive at Anfield.

Owen said: "It's not been the greatest of seasons on the league front, nor in Europe. We did win the Worthington Cup but we had set our sights much higher than that and, overall, it's been a disappointing season.

"Hopefully it will get better next year. It's a really important summer for the club. We have never performed to our capabilities this season.

"Whether the players who played have to improve next season or whether we need to bring players in, it remains to be seen what the manager does. But it's certainly a big summer."