Owen Wary Over Anfield Return

Michael Owen is relishing the prospect of captaining Newcastle United at Anfield on Saturday, but is realistic enough to accept that defeat on his old stamping ground would prove extra painful. "It will be a proud moment," said the former Liverpool striker today. "But it will be either the best experience or the worst."

Owen's only previous return to Anfield since returning to England following his sojourn with Real Madrid was in 2005, when Newcastle lost 2-0 and he was taunted by sections of the Kop who once idolized him. "It really is awful when you get beat at your old club," admitted the England forward. "But if you get a result it's always nice and then you can meet old friends knowing you gave them a really good game and got something out of it. You don't want to be putting your head down and sliding out of a side door to get back on the coach and back up the road."

There have been far too many Saturday evenings like that for Newcastle of late, and they travel to Merseyside seeking not only the first win of Kevin Keegan's second stint as manager at St James' Park but an inaugural Premier League victory of 2008.

"We haven't been playing well or creating chances," admitted Owen, whose side are now embroiled in a relegation battle. "We're not doing the things we should be doing. At the minute you wouldn't think this group of players can do anything, but when we are firing on all cylinders we can compete with some of the best teams in the Premier League and can beat anyone."

Owen missed several chances during last Saturday's 1-0 home defeat against Blackburn Rovers but would presumably revel in proving a point to Rafael Benítez - who the striker had hoped would re-sign him from Real - by re-discovering his shooting boots on Saturday.
Keegan could certainly do with his side recording their first Premier League win at Anfield since 1994 - when he was Newcastle's manager and Rob Lee and Andy Cole scored the goals in a 2-0 win.

Meanwhile Lamine Diatta, the Senegal defender who has been on trial at St James' Park and, as a free agent, was available outside the transfer window, will not be signing for Newcastle.