Solano pride at LFC link

Aston Villa winger Nolberto Solano is flattered to be a target for Liverpool, and has revealed he would jump at the chance of a move to Liverpool.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez is desperate to strengthen his right flank and enquired about the availability of Solano.

Reports had suggested that Benitez was hoping to tempt Villa into letting him have Solano as a makeweight in the Midlands club's bid to sign Milan Baros.

Villa are understood to have offered £6million for Baros, plus a further £500,000 in add-ons as manager David O'Leary is desperate to strengthen his strikeforce.

However, O'Leary has apparently been trumped by a bid of £8.5million from Lyon, with money burning a hole in the pockets of president Jean-Michael Aulas after the £24.4million departure of Michael Essien to Chelsea.

Although O'Leary is unaware of any offer from Liverpool for 30-year-old Solano, and Reds manager Rafael Benitez has conceded no bid has been made, the Peruvian has added fuel to the fire surrounding his future.

Villa manager David O'Leary gave the interest short shrift and insists Solano will not be leaving the club.

Solano has been an instrumental figure during his 18 months at Villa Park and the former Newcastle United man has not voiced a desire to leave.

But the 30-year-old concedes it is an honour to be wanted by Benitez, although he will leave a decision on his future in the hands of O'Leary.

"Anyone would be proud to be asked for by Benitez," said Solano.

"He is a coach that has won a lot with Valencia and now with Liverpool.

"But the decision does not depend on me, but the club, with whom I have a contract for the next year."

"It is fantastic when a big club comes in for a player," said Solano.

"Ask any player in the world if they would love to play for a big club, and everyone would love to.

"I won't say 'no, I don't want to go to Liverpool' because they are a big club who want to challenge to win titles, and any player would love to go to Liverpool.

"If you ask any player what they would do if a big club came in for them - Manchester United, Chelsea or Liverpool - everybody would love to go there."

Solano has less than a year remaining on his current contract, however, there has been no suggestion of Villa opening talks on a new deal, although O'Leary intimated yesterday the club were happy to wait until the turn of the year.

Solano, though, appears to be keeping his options open as he added in the Evening Mail: "I only have one more year left and as to whether I stay at Villa, nobody has said anything to me yet.

"To be honest, I just want to only play and we will see what happens. I do not have to renew my contract until the end of the season, until June probably.

"The club could go four or five months to decide what they want to do with me, whether to sign a contract or let me go somewhere.

"But for the moment I want to stay [in the Premier League] and to play here because the Premier League is very exciting for me. Everybody loves it right now.

"But it's not in my hands. It is down to the manager and the club. Of course, if I had the chance of another contract at Villa it would interest me.

"I was very pleased with this club when I moved here and you see the response when I still try to do my best for this club."

Though O'Leary is anxious to bring Baros to the club from Liverpool, he would be reluctant to allow Solano to head in the opposite direction, particularly as the Peruvian would be looked upon as the man to create chances for the Czech striker.

LFC v Sunderland Preview

Liverpool welcome newly promoted Sunderland to Anfield for the first home Premiership fixture of the season.

Mick McCarthy's side suffered disappointment in their first game as they went down 3-1 at home to a Danny Murphy inspired Charlton Athletic.

On loan Liverpool midfielder Anthony Le Tallec didn't feature against Charlton and was an unused substitute. Le Tallec won't figure at Anfield on Saturday as Premier League rules prevent him playing against his registered team.

Manager Mick McCarthy was dealt a bitter blow when it was confirmed that full-back Stephen Wright would be out of action for three months after suffering medial knee ligament damage in training.

Sunderland have suffered another injury blow with striker Kevin Kyle ruled out until the New Year after a second hip operation.

Wright misses out on a first return to Anfield since a £3million move three years ago and with left-back George McCartney just returning to full-time training, McCarthy will hand a Premiership debut to Nyron Nosworthy.

One of 10 newcomers to the squad, 24-year-old Nosworthy was signed on a free transfer from Gillingham and made his 200th career appearance as a substitute in last week's home defeat by Charlton.

"Stephen Wright will be a huge loss to us," said McCarthy. "His personality as well as his character around the place will be missed.

"He puts everything into his game and while it's disappointing for us, it's more disappointing for him after all the hard work he put in last season to get us into the Premiership."

Defender George McCartney and goalkeeper Ben Alnwick have resumed full-time training while utility defender Danny Collins is also making good progress.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is expected to field an unchanged side for the visit of the Black Cats.

Benitez still has long term injuries to Djimi Traore, Harry Kewell and Peter Crouch, and although Florent Sinama-Pongolle made his comeback from a knee problem in the reserves this week, it is unlikely he will be considered for first team action yet.

Jamie Carragher, who needed an injection in his mouth because of an infected tooth before he could play for England in midweek, is expected to play.

The last time Sunderland were at Anfield they were in turmoil and relegation was stirring them in the face. That was in November 2002 and Howard Wilkinson was in charge of the team. Liverpool had so many chances but no matter how many they created they just couldn't put the ball into the back of the net. Sunderland goalkeeper Jurgen Macho had the game of his life.


Prediction

Liverpool 3 - Sunderland 1


Teams:

Liverpool: (from) Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Whitbread, Warnock, Luis Garcia, Cisse, Sissoko, Gerrard, Hamann, Zenden, Alonso, Morientes, Baros, Carson, Riise, Potter.

Sunderland: (from) Davis, Nosworthy, Arca, Breen, Caldwell, Whitehead, Robinson, Welsh, Lawrence, Miller, Gray, Stead, Brown, Elliott, J Murphy, Piper.

Owen on verge of Liverpool return

The Times says Michael Owen's return to Liverpool is 'imminent' after 'his former club made official contact with Real Madrid.'

The papers adds, 'The transfer, expected to be for about £12 million, is likely to be financed by the departure from Anfield of Djibril Cisse and Milan Baros.'

Baros is set to join Aston Villa for £6.5m in the next week, while Cisse is an apparent target for Lyon. Their manager, Gerard Houllier, signed Cisse while at Pool, and has money to spend after the sale of Michael Essien.

Considering their lack of forward resources, Newcastle have also inevitably been linked with Cisse after admitting defeat in their pursuit of Owen.

Magpies still in the chase for Owen

Newcastle have not given up hope of landing Real Madrid striker Michael Owen but realise they cannot compete with Liverpool or Man Scum for his signature.

It is understood the 25-year-old has indicated he could be willing to make a move to St James' Park if neither the Manchester Buckaneers or his former employers make a move for him.

While no-one on Tyneside is getting carried away by the news, it at glimmer of hope as Graeme Souness' search for a striker continues.

Their interest in Owen is long-standing, and although they always knew the chances of landing him were slim there is greater optimism than there was at the start of the week when chairman Freddy Shepherd cancelled a planned trip to Madrid to step up the pursuit.

The encouraging development came a day after the Magpies confirmed they had pulled out of their attempt to sign Fenerbahce's Nicolas Anelka at the Turkish club's request, although there have been suggestions since that the Frenchman could yet agitate for a move himself.

But what is not in any doubt is that Newcastle have to move fast if they are to avoid leaving Alan Shearer, who celebrates his 35th birthday on Saturday 24 hours before his side's opening Barclays Premiership fixture at Arsenal, fighting alone.

Real chief wants Owen to stay

Real Madrid's sporting director Arrigo Sacchi insists he wants Michael Owen to stay at the club despite mounting speculation over a return to the Premiership.

Owen admitted last week he had held brief talks with a number of top English clubs following Real's double summer swoop for strikers Robinho and Julio Baptista.

But Sacchi told Madrid sports paper AS: "I hope he stays here because he will have the respect of the whole club as he is a fantastic person. On Sunday I congratulated him on his professionalism. He did everything to perfection."

Free Michael Shields Website

Funny how things happen. Within days of Michael being arrested and jailed in Bulgaria for someone elses crime, LFC have drawn CSK Sofia (a Bulgarian team) in the Champions League qualifyer.

Yesterday, Michael Shields Snr, the father of the young Reds fan, called on all Liverpool fans travelling to Sofia to behave if they want to help the campaign to free his son.

Although Miachel's prison cell is some 2,000 miles away from the stadium, he will be in many supporters minds.

Benitez does u-turn on Owen?

Michael Owen could return to Liverpool after the Anfield board reportedly persuaded Rafael Benitez to do a u-turn on the England striker.

Benitez initially dismissed a move for Owen, but now the Daily Mirror say that the Spaniard will consider a deal if it's at the right price.

He has repeatedly said that he is looking for a centre-half rather than a centre-forward after spending £7m on Peter Crouch, but could now rush through an exit for Milan Baros to create space for Owen.

Real Madrid have had to lower their valuation after they had no takers at £16m and on Monday claimed that Newcastle and Manchester United had shown an interest.

Toon chairman Freddy Shepherd admitted they were interested, but Owen is said to have turned down a move to the north-east because they are not in the Champions League this season.

There was an official denial of contact from Old Trafford but The Sun claims that Sir Alex Ferguson does in fact retain an interest in Owen.

Lookalikes

Gonzalez permit knockback for Reds

Liverpool are considering an appeal after a work permit application for Chilean winger Mark Gonzalez was rejected.

The European champions were shocked by the decision made after a hearing this week.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that Liverpool were only planning a season-long loan deal for the 21 year-old, with a view to a £4.7million deal with his Spanish club Albacete next summer.

Gonzalez, who was actually born in South Africa, is currently recovering from a cruciate knee injury and would not have expected to be fit until October.

The permit was refused primarily because Chile are not in the top 70 of the FIFA rankings, and it is believed Liverpool also fell foul of regulations that say the player had to be among their highest wage-earners.

Liverpool officials attended a hearing in London on Thursday to argue their case but were shocked when a panel of judges refused them.

The ruling clearly upset Benitez, who argued that Gonzalez is not only the best player in Chile but was also one of the most exciting players in Spain last season.

Benitez told www.liverpoolfc.tv: "He's a player we have scouted for over six months. I can tell the Liverpool fans who don't know too much about him that he's a player with lots and lots of ability.

"He is very fast, good in the air, good at crosses and he can score goals. In fact, he is the best player in Chile. We have had reports on the player from our own scouts, professional players, former players and other managers and they all say the same - that he is a very good player for now and even better for the future.

"We haven't been awarded a work permit though and I was very surprised to say the least."

Government regulations also require that when signing a young player from outside the EU, a club must convince officials that there is no comparable player in their own country first.

Liverpool would have a better chance if Chile were in the world top 70. They are currently 72nd and their next match is against Brazil.

Benitez added: "We must now wait because one of the problems is that his national team are not ranked in FIFA's top 70. If they win a couple of games, maybe they will move up the FIFA rankings and things may change.

"Gonzalez is already a player who will shine in the Premiership but very soon he could be one of the most exciting players in England.

"Liverpool supporters love to see players who can lift them out of their seats and Gonzalez is exactly that sort of player. You saw the reaction when Djibril Cisse came on against Kaunas on Wednesday.

"The fans were jumping up and cheering when Cisse raced down the wing. With Gonzalez, the fans would be out of their seats the whole time because he can play like Cisse but on the wing."

Liverpool may well now review the situation, and could wait until the January transfer window to make a second application, hoping that the player will then meet more of the UK criteria as well as being fit to play.

Wenger's love for Owen not enough

Arsene Wenger has insisted that he will not make a bid for Michael Owen because he doesn't believe the England striker would dovetail with Thierry Henry.

Owen is believed to be searching for a return to the Premiership after being reduced to fifth-choice striker at Real Madrid.

However, despite being in 'love' with the player, Wenger has ruled out making a bid for Owen.

"I have nothing against Michael Owen. I love him," the Arsenal boss declared.

The stumbling block, though, is the perceived incompatibility of the Owen-Henry partnership.

"We have Thierry Henry who scores 25 goals a season and can they live together? I don't know. Thierry is not yet the age to play a little bit deeper. I like Owen but I look more for a deeper kind of striker. I have Dennis Bergkamp but he is getting older."

Without the guarantee of first-team football, Wenger claimed it would 'dishonest' to bring Owen to Highbury.

"It would be dishonest to take an international player like him and put him in the same situation he has at Real Madrid," said the Frenchman.

Inter sign LFC target

Luis Figo has completed his move from Real Madrid to Internazionale.

The Portuguese international, 32, has signed a two-year deal at the San Siro after successfully completing a medical.

The news ends any lingering hope Liverpool had of luring Figo to Anfield.

Figo had been chased by Reds boss Rafael Benitez since Real Madrid made it clear they were prepared to release the winger, who they signed from Barcelona five years ago for a then world-record fee of £37million.

The transfer fee is thought to be £2million, a price at which Liverpool reportedly baulked.

The 32-year-old, who has moved on a free transfer, has agreed a two-year contract with the Serie A club, bringing to an end a ten-year stay in Spain. He spent five seasons at FC Barcelona, where he won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1996/97 and two consecutive Primera División titles, before controversially switching to Madrid in a €65m transfer for the 2000/01 campaign.

At the Santiago Bernabéu, Figo won the Spanish title on two more occasions and also the 2001/02 UEFA Champions League. He will link up with former team-mates Santiago Solari and Walter Samuel at his new club, as well as Esteban Cambiasso, who moved in 2004. Inter begin their Champions League campaign next week with the first leg of their third qualifying round match against FC Shakhtar Donetsk, after last season's third-place finish.

Figo, who will wear the number seven shirt and could make his debut in the Italian Super Cup on August 27, against Juventus.

He becomes Inter's third signing of the summer from Real, after Argentinian duo Santiago Solari and Walter Samuel also moved to Milan from the Bernabeu.

Who's stopping Le Tallec?

Media reports yesterday claimed that on-loan player Anthony Le Tallec was refused permission by Rafael Benitez to play against Liverpool for Sunderland this month - in case the forward damages the Champions League qualification hopes of his parent club.

But he will not be allowed to play in his new side's second Barclays Premiership clash of the season, against Liverpool away.

"Of course I would want to play against Liverpool but I cannot. I asked Benitez if I could and he told me no," he said.

"He said that if I scored against Liverpool and they finished fifth in the league it would not be good for me or for them.

"But to be honest I'm not thinking about Liverpool, I'm thinking about Sunderland."

However, today Liverpools Offiical website www.liverpooltc.tv claimed that the on loan midfielder Anthony Le Tallec will not be allowed to play for Sunderland against Liverpool on Saturday, August 20th due to Premier League rules. Explaining that the new rule state that a player on loan can not play against his long term employers.

That rules Le Tallec out of both Premiership games against Liverpool this season.

It remains to be seen if he is allowed to play against the Reds should they be drawn against the Black Cats in the FA or League Cup, where the Premier League has no jurisdiction. At that point perhaps we'll know whether Le Tallec has been banned from from playing against his current employers. Either way it won't affect LFC's qualifying for the Champions League.

Sayonara Toyota Cup?

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has admitted the Reds are still considering whether or not to take part in this season's World Club Championship.

FIFA are expecting Liverpool to compete in the World Club Championship in Japan in December despite the club casting doubts over their participation.

Liverpool have been drawn to play either Deportivo Saprissa or FC Sydney in the semi-finals of the competition, but Parry says the Reds must decide whether it would serve the club's best interests to take part.

A spokesman for world football's governing body said tonight: "FIFA looks forward to Liverpool's participation in the FIFA Club World Championship TOYOTA Cup Japan 2005 as winner of the UEFA Champions League."

As European Champions, the Reds are automatically invited to take part in December's showpiece event in Tokyo, when the winners from the different FIFA confederations meet for a week long competition.

But having also been made to defend their title from the first qualifying round, the club are concerned about the amount of fixtures they are playing.

"The World Club Championship draw has been made and this is something we are debating very carefully at the moment," chief executive Rick Parry told the club's website, www.liverpoolfc.tv.

"It is a world tournament that is prestigious but we have to balance that with the potential of losing another domestic fixture.

"We are already facing the disruption of two Premier League fixtures due to the Champions League third-round qualifier and the Super Cup (against CSKA Moscow, the UEFA Cup winners).

"All of this is down to the price of success and as we've discovered in the past, you tend not to get a lot of sympathy for being successful."

Injurt setback for Crouch

Peter Crouch has been ruled out for up to three weeks after a scan on the hamstring injury that forced him out of Liverpool's Champions League success over FBK Kaunus.

The £7million striker limped off after just 54 minutes at Anfield last night, and is now is certain to miss next week's third qualifying round first leg.

He will also miss the start of the Barclays Premiership campaign but is suspended for the first two games against Middlesbrough and Sunderland anyway.

With the August 27 match against Arsenal postponed because of the European Super Cup, Crouch may now have to wait until the trip to Tottenham on September 10 to make his Premiership debut.

But boss Rafael Benitez will hope to have him back in contention for the second leg of the Champions League qualifier against CSKA Sofia or Dinamo Tirana on August 23.

Benitez said: "The partnership between Crouch and (Djibril) Cisse was working well. We have Cisse's pace and the alternative qualities of Crouch.

"Against Kaunus we had decided that in the second half we needed to play the ball in the air more, but unfortunately the plan only lasted a few minutes of the second period.

"We could see that Peter was holding the back of his leg and we decided to change him quickly because it was obviously a hamstring problem.

"You need to protect players in such situations to avoid even worse problems.

"I don't think we are short of numbers up front. We have let Anthony Le Tallec go out on loan, but we have (Milan) Baros, (Fernando) Morientes, Luis Garcia, Cisse. They are all good players."

And with the prospect of Baros leaving for Everton seemingly having hit a major snag over the £7million fee Liverpool are demanding, Benitez may even be prepared to re-consider the decision to sell the Czech.

He may still not risk cup-tying him in Europe, but Baros could well be needed for the opening league matches with the transfer deadline not until the last day of August.

Crouch said: "I have no real idea how long it will be.

"I was enjoying my home debut, it was great to finally get the chance to play at Anfield because we have been on the road for a long time since I signed.

"I would have wanted to finish the game, obviously, so it was really frustrating to pick up an injury like that.

"I was beginning to really enjoy things, so the hamstring was a real disappointment."

Some quarter in the press are once again pushing the possibility that Liverpool will be in to sign Michael Owen, after it was revealed that he had spoken to four Premiership teams.

Black Cat Le Tallec

Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy has spoken of his delight after securing the services of Anthony Le Tallec on a season long loan deal.

Le Tallec has joined the Black Cats for the coming campaign after being told by Rafael Benitez he wouldn't be assured of too many first team games at Anfield.

McCarthy has revealed he wanted to sign the 20 year old Frenchman last season and is thrilled to have finally got his man.

"Le Tallec was one last season we enquired about and he went off to St Etienne," said McCarthy.

"We've been in touch with Liverpool for quite a while to see who they would let out on loan and we've got an exciting and versatile player who will do well for us."

This is the second season that Le Tallec has gone on a season long loan, although he return early last season.

Still basking in the glory

Quotes about that famous night:

• "I slept with the cup in my hotel room. I did not want it out of my sight. When I woke up and someone took it away, I felt I had lost a part of me." Skipper Steven Gerrard on the significance of the Champions League trophy.
• "The cup ended up with Stevie G in his room. His girlfriend wasn't here, so he had the cup in his bed instead." Confirmation from team-mate Vladimir Smicer
• "Jamie Carragher looks like he's got cramp in both groins." Football commentator Andy Townsend declares Carragher a biological phenomenon
• "The boss asked me if I wanted to take a penalty, I said I did and he put me on fifth. I thought "Thanks a lot, pal - my a*** was going, it was all over the place!" Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who was spared penalty duties thanks to Jerzy Dudek's save from Andriy Shevchenko.
• "Before the penalties, Carra came up to me like he was crazy - as always! He said: "Jerzy, Jerzy - remember Bruce (Grobbelaar). He did crazy things to put them off and you have to do the same."
  Liverpool hero Jerzy Dudek reveals the 'wobbly legs' press conference before the penalties.
• "He did a much better job than I did. He looked like a starfish with jelly legs to me but it worked." Liverpool's original "spaghetti legs" goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar pays tribute to Jerzy Dudek.
• "This one was enormous - it was the biggest in the world - as big as the room! Every time I went to relight it, it seemed to be the same size - it lasted all night!" Vladimir Smicer, who scored a goal and a penalty in Liverpool's defeat of AC Milan, recalls his giant celebratory cigar

Fans would welcome back Owen

The majority of Liverpool supporters would warmly welcome Michael Owen back to Anfield should he decide to leave Real Madrid.

That is the view of Jim Boardman from the supporters website, AnfieldRoad.com.

Owen has seemingly been relegated to fifth-choice striker at the Bernabeu following the near £40million investment in Julio Baptista and Robinho this weekend.

The England striker knows he cannot afford to sit on the bench too long with the World Cup finals fast approaching.

Speculation is mounting that he will return to England with Manchester United and Liverpool understood to be in the frame for his services.

Boardman said: "I would say 75% of the supporters would be in favour of bringing him back for the right price.

"Certainly no Liverpool fan wants to see him move to (Manchester) United.

"There's a small section that never took completely to Owen - they didn't like the way he seemed to be talking of a move overseas from early on in his career, or the way that he seemed to put England first.

"Most fans loved him though, and wished him well on his departure to Real."

Whether manager Rafael Benitez would like to see him back in Liverpool's colours is open to debate.

Boardman believes, however, that chairman David Moores and chief executive Rick Parry would both back the move.

Boardman added: "Benitez would be wary, unless the right price was paid. But is is definitely possible."

It has emerged that Real's fans have turned against Owen and expect him to play next to no part in the coming season.

A survey of supporters has revealed that, at best, the Bernabeu faithful expect Owen to be a fixture in the team for fixtures in the Spanish Cup, a competition which carries little of the same prestige as the FA Cup.

Only 12% of supporters picked Owen in their ideal Madrid team for the Primera Liga and Champions League season ahead, with Ronaldo included by 91% in a variety of forward lines.

The ongoing survey, by the newspaper Marca, is a further indication of how Owen faces a crisis ahead of the new campaign.

He started last season as third choice behind Ronaldo and Raul, and on the same level as Fernando Morientes who left to join Liverpool in January.

However Owen's starring role as substitute led to his promotion to the first team, with the fans embracing the England man as he finished the campaign with 13 league goals from 20 starts.

Their position has changed with the buying spree which Real boss Wanderley Luxemburgo has predicted will continue, and Owen now faces a choice: stay and fight for his place again, or return to England.

Schalke Reveal Baros Hopes

Schalke will are set to tell Liverpool they want to take Milan Baros on loan for a year with a view to a permanent deal for the Czech Republic international.

The German club will put their proposal to the European champions and, if given the go-ahead, Baros could be presented by Schalke within the next 48 hours.

Rudi Assauer, general manager at Schalke, told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper: "We have not yet spoken about all the figures (money) yet. But we want Baros for a year on loan and at the same time an option to buy for 2006.

"If we carry this off, it would be Schalke's biggest transfer of all time."

Liverpool are reported to be seeking in the region of £7million for Baros, however Schalke insist they cannot presently find such a fee and will ask for a year to come up with the funds.

Baros finished top scorer at Euro 2004 but then had a disappointing season in the Barclays Premiership. The 23-year-old scored just nine times in the league as Liverpool finished fifth.

According to Schalke coach Ralf Rangnick, personal terms have already been agreed with Baros.

"We have agreed everything with Baros and his agent," Rangnick said.

"Early next week, we will make moves towards Liverpool. He's top of my wish-list. He's fast and a goal threat."

Baros has played no part in Liverpool's Champions League qualifying matches so far, Rafael Benitez judiciously leaving him out to facilitate any possible transfer.

The move by Benitez would make Baros available for Schalke's matches in the competition this season.

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Anything less than a sale won't make any sense. Baros has 2 years left on his contract and despite his questional attitude (at times), he is still an imense talent (for my money he's probably the best forward we currently have). I don't really want to see him leave, but if he does I'm glad that it could be abroad, but only for a fee. Why just have Schlake pay his wages for a year and then get him cheaper next year? Plus we need the extra cash as we'd need to buy a replacement, unless we hope to get say Owen on loan too (unlikely).

Stolen Post - Owen's Tribulation

Two years ago Owen was playing for a team that was troubled, but, everybody knew they were not far from glory. A couple of buys, a new manager and the team could have won the title. Owen was also an automatic starter for his country. He was the country's wonder boy.

Two years later he warms the bench of a team of superstars. Some will insist Mickey has moved up in the world. Others will proclaim he has taken a step back. Worst of all, his downward spiral is yet to finish.

He fled the reds to taste more of the glory he had tasted with the reds. Whilst the reds were busy winning the ultimate club competition Mickey warmed the bench. Admittedly he came off it with aplomb but he would much rather be experiencing the chance to score goals over 90 minutes as opposed to the last 20/5 minutes.

All the goals little Mickey scored he managed to endear himself to a set of fans that are renowned worldwide for being hard to please. Certainly this can be recognised as personal glory. What about the collective glory footballers crave?

Unfortunately the collective glory he sought most his team and him failed to deliver. There was no league title. No domestic cup wins. Most salient was the ignominious exit from the European Champions League which his former bright red team went on to lift.

We all know about this part of the downward spiral. You possibly wonder: what still has Mickey in that freefall? He does not seem to be spiraling uncontrollably down towards a life of drug abuse, vagrancy and jail.

Not only do none of the top four teams want to pursue little Mickey's employment, even though he would jump at a chance to return to England, his England place could also be under threat. Two years ago that was unthinkable. In all honesty today the thought that his England place is under threat is also very hard to believe.

Yet if Owen was to play a minute (due to being fourth in line behind the three R's) part in what ever Real achieve this year whilst Crouch exceeds expectations Mickey's place could be more than simply under threat but taken. admittedly Rooney would inherit Owen's role whilst crouch would inherit Rooney's.

England will take four strikers to Germany next summer. I think everyone will agree those four will be Owen, Defoe, Rooney and Crouch. The first three are already regulars. Whilst crouch does not look like he is going to relinquish whatever grasp he has on a place in the world cup squad. In fact I am confident he is going to tighten his grip. From fourth place striker to starter.

Crouch plays an important role which all English teams seem to depend on. He is the big lad that can score and lay on goals for others (two assists in two games for Liverpool, 16 goals in last season's premiership from around 30 appearances). He is the pivot for the prolific striker. At present Rooney is the pivot of our front two whilst Owen fishes for chances.

So for Rooney to become the fisherman he needs to be scoring regularly for the scum this year. Let us presume he scores more than 25 of which he is well capable of achieving. He will then have proved he has the tools to play as an out and out striker. This at present can be doubted by no one though it remains to be proved by the man himself.

Sven's hand wil be forced. Experiments will take place. Rooney and Crouch could gel and the goals start to come from all over the place. Owen would be ejected from his once taken for granted starting position. The unthinkable has happened.

Rooney has the power Owen lacks. This gives him an extra advantage of being able to get to chances owen could not reach. Rooney being able to finish from outside and inside the box is also a more complete fisherman than Owen. he uses the lake better. His floats are specialised further than 12 yards from the metaphorical biggest catch of all.

The last worry for our lil Mickey is the fact that Rooney is a better all round footballer than him. He is almost a complete player. Almost complete player definitely complete striker. Such a fact allows Rooney the fisherman to become crouch's feeder manipulating his finishing skills to the maximum. Imagine those half volley flying.

In my head if both Crouch and Rooney would form a far better partnership than Rooney and Owen or Crouch and Owen. Owen's spiral is not yet definite nor complete. To end the downward spiral now what he needs to be doing is playing to prove and remind us that this is not the case. Even if he is playing and Rooney and Crouch both perform Owen could find himself losing still more of what he holds dear.

One could never forget about Owen but one, and it only needs to be one, could see something else they liked more. An option that whets that person's interest. i have a feeling not only will Crouch succeed where once Owen succeeded in Liverpool but also for England. By then that would be the end of Owen's downward spiral.

No longer an automatic starter for England. No longer playing for a top English club but being forced to play for the likes of Villa or Tottenham. All because one day he jumped from the big red ship. Some red fans will glory in his misery others such as me will only be able to pity him.

Good luck Mickey but I am praying for the first of many memorable seasons from Crouch. I know where my loyalties lie. The warning loud and clear also needs to be heeded by Rooney but I personally fear it is Owen who has more to lose to Crouch.

Tapeworm do it for yourself and for England.

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