[lfc-news] Gerrard: Missing Own would be a nightmare - Echo

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Liverpool Echo, 15 Aug 2005
Missing Owen would be a nightmare
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

STEVEN GERRARD today admitted it would be a 'nightmare' if Michael Owen
joins any Premiership club but Liverpool before the transfer deadline.

The Anfield skipper is making no secret of his desire to be reunited
with the striker as speculation surrounding the Real Madrid star reaches
fever pitch.

Liverpool remain Owen's chosen destination, although there are several
hurdles to overcome to make it happen.

Newcastle have muddied the waters, reducing the prospects of an initial
loan deal by vowing to outbid any Premier-ship rivals, despite being
told Owen doesn't want to go to St James' Park..

Gerrard is hoping Owen's preference to rejoin his old club will prove
decisive.

"It goes without saying I would love Michael Owen back here and think
everyone at the club would love him back," Gerrard told the ECHO.

"Obviously it's up to Real Madrid. He's their player and they'll decide
if he can go, but when I see Michael in the England squad this week I
won't even have to ask him where he'd like to be in a few weeks.

"I'm waking up every morning, looking in the papers and hoping to read
he's on his way here. Could you imagine him coming back to Anfield and
scoring against us for another club? It would be a nightmare.

"Whoever signs him guarantees themselves 20 goals and, in my opinion,
the best striker in the league."

The Liverpool skipper accepted some of the blame for the Reds' failure
to take one of several chances in the 0-0 draw at Middlesbrough.

But Gerrard insisted there was enough evidence at The Riverside to
suggest pre-season optimism is not misplaced.

"Everything was perfect apart from the fact we didn't score," said
Gerrard. "The manager told us to match them until half-time and keep a
clean sheet and then we'd create lots of chances in the last 30 minutes.
That's how it went, but we missed our opportunities."

* Aston Villa are closing in on Milan Baros and hope to conclude a deal
this week for around £7m.

Meanwhile, Florent Sinama-Pongolle should make his comeback from
cruciate knee surgery as Liverpool Reserves kick off the campaign
against Everton at Wrexham tomorrow.

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