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Posted by PAUL Next year is our year By MIKE ELLIS MICHAEL OWEN believes Liverpool are close to assembling a side to finally end their title famine next season. He has also been honoured with the European Footballer of the Year award. But it is the championship that Owen, 23, and the rest of his Liverpool team-mates crave. The Kop kings have not lifted the crown since claiming a record 18th title way back in 1990. But after finishing fourth, third and second in the Premiership in the previous campaigns, Owen admitted he was was full of optimism at the start of the current season. Early results bore out that optimism as they went on a club record unbeaten league start of 12 games. It propelled them into a seven-point lead at one stage which heightened the sense of expectation at Anfield. But then came a disastrous run of 11 games without a win and virtually the end of all title hopes. Owen said: "In the previous years we had been getting closer and closer. "When we started off great this season, I think everyone thought this was our year. "We never said it in the Press, but I think that was the general feeling around the ground, among the supporters and among the players. "Then it went downhill and you lose a bit of confidence in yourself, in the team, in everything really. Hence we had a lot of bad results." A recent run of six wins in seven outings has revived hopes of a place in the Champions League. But Owen knows that given Liverpool's history, he and his team-mates must claim that most coveted crown to be classed with the winners of the past. He said: "If we can restore that confidence, have everyone believe in each other again and get on a good run - maybe we need one or two more players - I think we can win the League in the next year or the next couple of years." Owen himself is on a hot streak with seven goals in his last eight Premiership matches. That puts him way out on his own again as Liverpool's top marksman with 24 goals in total. He also has hit the target twice for England in the victories over Slovakia and Liechtenstein this season in the Euro 2004 qualifiers. But Owen insists he does not feel any extra pressure because the side bank on him as the main finisher. He said: "All the top teams have got a regular goalscorer. "Take Ruud van Nistelrooy out of Manchester United and you get 30 goals less a year. "Teams like those have people they rely on to score goals. I'm happy if people are relying on me to do the same." England midfielder Steven Gerrard has also been in top form recently to revive Liverpool's Champions League charge. He grabbed the dramatic late winner against Charlton on Monday which came just two days after he stepped in for suspended skipper Sami Hyypia to lead the side to their crucial Mersey derby win at Everton. Boss Gerard Houllier said this week that Gerrard is a future Anfield leader but also praised Hyypia for his never-say-die attitude. It was the giant Finn who hit the late equaliser against Charlton to set the stage for Gerrard's sensational winner. And Houllier said: "The one thing I know of my team is that they never give in and you could see the determination on Steven's face to score the winning goal. "My two captains really came through for me. Sami scored the first goal and Steven, who was captain against Everton, got the winner." But Houllier has problems ahead of the vital visit to relegated West Brom on Saturday with England striker Emile Heskey a doubt after limping out of the win over Charlton. Houllier said: "Emile has not been training because he has a back injury. He got a kick in the back against Charlton. At this moment I would say he's doubtful but he is a quick healer." Better news is that Swiss defender Stephane Henchoz hopes to start his comeback in the reserves against Sunderland tonight after missing the last nine games with a calf problem. Henchoz went home to Switzerland for surgery after playing a vital part in the Worthington Cup final triumph against Manchester United in Cardiff on March 2. Houllier hoped he would be fit to return against Everton last weekend, but decided not to take a risk. The West Brom game is still likely to prove too early for him but he could renew his partnership with Hyypia against Manchester City at Anfield next week. Liverpool are desperate to claim a Champions League place with qualification worth an estimated £15m. That would provide Houllier with the funds to continue team strengthening. And Houllier is confident his players can handle the pressure with three league games to go - including the final-day showdown at Chelsea. He said: "We believe in ourselves and believe we can achieve. We are getting nearer." Qualification is in Liverpool's hands as three straight wins will guarantee a top-four spot and qualification. And the Kop boss insisted his side have the character to grab the top-four place. He said: "We have the mentality to keep going in very tough circumstances. "We give our all every time and that's why I'm proud of my team because whenever they go on to the pitch they give everything. "These are the three most important games of the season. They are cup finals." Liverpool hope to meet Barcelona in a glamour pre-season friendly at Anfield on August 9. If the Spanish giants, knocked out of the European Cup by Juventus on Tuesday, do not agree to the game Houllier will invite another of Europe's top clubs. Liverpool are already committed to the Amsterdam tournament and also plan to visit China and Hong Kong, a trip that is still on at the moment despite the SARS crisis'
on April 24, 2003, 11:03:34
80.77.200.235
TAKEN FROM THE SUN OF TODAY. IT MIGHT INTEREST YOU.
The England hotshot has collected an impressive array of medals in the past three seasons following triumphs in the FA, Worthington, UEFA and European Super Cups.
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