Shearer full of praise for Owen

The 32-year-old Newcastle striker, whose 30 goal tally for the national side is already under great threat from his young rival, believes that the Anfield forward is still 'underestimated' by many supposed experts of the game.

Shearer, speaking in Sky Magazine, said: "I have lost count of the number of times people said to me Michael Owen's form was indifferent last season. But he still finished with 28 goals,' said the Premiership player of the decade.

"That's the standard he has set over the years and he is still only 23. There is a lot more pressure on Michael because if he is not scoring goals at Liverpool then not many people are.

"At times he's underestimated because of the expectation that surrounds him"'