Michael Owen again defied his critics this week by scoring a hat-trick for Liverpool in their 3-1 win over Spartak Moscow. The goals took his tally for club and country to eight in just 25 days.

His Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier argues that Owen can be even better, words that any defender in the world will shudder at.

"Michael is 22 and no one is fully accomplished at that age,'' the Houllier said.

"Strikers tend to be at their best around 24 or 25. But he's a fast learner - tell him something and he works on it."

Talking about Michael's triple strike in Moscow, where he scored with his head, right foot and left foot, Houllier commented, "I have seen what Michael did before," said Houllier. "Platini did it in 1984 when France were 2-0 down to Yugoslavia and won 3-2 because of a similar hat-trick.

"He scored with a header, his right foot and his left foot. Michael's left foot is okay. He's worked on it. This to me it is a sign of his improvement. He has also tremendously improved his heading. Some years ago he wouldn't have scored a goal like that."

High praise indeed, as any comparison with a player generally considered one of the most gifted players of the last century, can only be good.

However, it is Owen's all round improvement that has impressed Houllier most. "You will remember also when he was captain of England against Paraguay at Anfield, he also scored a great header.

"Michael has an eye for goal. He got a lot of criticism a month ago and he appreciated the fact people were supporting him.

"That was a testament to his humility and has shown he is strong mentally and we knew once he scored one, more would come.

"The only things more important than wearing a Liverpool shirt is god and your family," Houllier added. The Liverpool manager is certain that Owen's continued success is down to his ability to listen and learn.

"Between the ages of 18 and 21 Michael has definitely improved a lot. The proof of his progress is the fact that he won the Ballon d'Or (European Footballer of the Year in 2001). You don't achieve that without having something special.''

To illustrate Owen's development, Houllier cited last year's FA Cup final win over Arsenal. He not only scored with a volley, previously one of his weaker suits, but also with his left foot.

"Two years earlier he would have come back on to his right,'' said Houllier, "But he took it immediately with the left.''

Liverpool's back-room staff have worked on Owen's aerial ability as well. Tuesday's opener was a deft glancing header, similar to that that he put away for England in Slovakia.

"I think he is the type who realises you don't win anything without sacrifice," said Houllier. "He's as enthusiastic playing a four-a-side in training as in a cup final.''

With Owen firing on all cylinders, hopes will be high that one of those future cup finals will be in Portugal in two years time, with England.