Former Liverpool legend, Ian Rush says that England striker Michael Owen has sta

Former Liverpool legend, Ian Rush says that England striker Michael Owen has started this season the way he finished last term and has been very sharp in the Reds opening pre-season fixtures.

Liverpool beat the Thai national team 3-1 earlier today, and despite not scoring there, Owen still retains his goal a game record in pre-season friendlies, having hit the net three times in the matches against Cologne and Crewe, and Rush, who coaches the forwards at Anfield, says Owen is in great shape.

"Michael looks in incredible form. He has had more of a rest this summer than he has had in years. Even though it has only been a few weeks, it seems to have done him the world of good," said the Welshman.

Owen was with the England squad almost a month after the season ended, and it was his two goals against Slovakia in his 50th International that gave Sven's men a vital win in their final match of the year which followed a season with Liverpool where he grabbed 27 goals, but the Welshman believes there is still more to come from the 23 year old.

"He is obviously still fit after the England games and that is why he has started pre-season in such sharp form. He should be stronger thanks to all the weight training he has put in, so we should see the best of him next season."

Meanwhile, Owen's Liverpool team mate Steven Gerrard will miss the Red's first game of the season, at home versus Chelsea, due to suspension after his sending off in their last Premiership match of the season against the same opposition at Stamford Bridge. 

Click here for a full list of all the suspensions carried over from last season...

Michael Owen 

Nationality: English
Place of Birth: Chester, England
Date of Birth: 14 December 1979
Weight: 10 13
Height: 5' 8''
Club: Liverpool
Position: Striker

Premiership stats only