Gerrard On Owen's Return and 'World Class' Given

By Matt Jones
December 28 2005

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard was "disappointed" with the muted reception given to Michael Owen on his return to Anfield. He was also left full of praise for Newcastle 'keeper Shay Given, who was "world class".

ON OWEN'S RECEPTION: "I am disappointed with that, he should be a legend here for all the goals he has scored for Liverpool in the past.

"He got a mixed reception, which is disappointing. I do not think they were booing him much but he deserves a standing ovation for the goals he has scored."

ON SHAY GIVEN: "We played well. I think a lot of people expected us to be tired but we did well. It was important that we got the three points and we just want to keep the good run going and keep on improving.

"Shay Given is a world-class goalkeeper and if there can be any criticism of us it was that we did not finish them off."

Shay Given however, shrugged off his heroics: "We said before the game it would be important to get at them, but they put us on the back foot from the first minute. We weren't at the races, especially in the first half.

"If I make saves and we get a good result from the game I'm pleased. But if you make saves and get nothing, it's disappointing for me and the team, and obviously for the fantastic support.

"I don't really think we had a chance all game, and Liverpool will take credit for that. But we were looking to put more pressure on them and break them down more than we did.

"It's disappointing really for the fans, who came all this way on Boxing Day and didn't have anything to shout about, especially in the first half.

"We've got to forget about it now - we can't dwell too long. It's good in a sense we can bounce back so quickly, and if we can get three points against Charlton Athletic at St James' Park on Wednesday it would be a massive lift for everyone."