Houllier: Owen won't pay penalty for miss

Troubled Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier today backed Michael Owen to bounce back against Portsmouth at Anfield on Wednesday.

Houllier also believes the misfiring England striker will put Liverpool back in the race for the Premiership's fourth Champions League place despite his second penalty miss in a month in the 2-0 defeat at Southampton. It was Owen's 10th failure from the spot in 23 attempts.

Houllier said: "Michael's name will be the first on the team sheet for the next game and if there is a penalty to be taken he will probably take it.

"I am not worried about him. He is going through a difficult patch but all strikers experience that and he has the ability and strength to get through it."

Renowned gambler Owen, who was linked in a newspaper report with taking tips from top jockey Kieren Fallon, may need all the support Houllier can offer.

But Houllier added: "That is a matter in his private life. I am only concerned about Michael's performance on the pitch.

"He hit a post and I thought he took the penalty quite well. It was a goalkeeper's save."