Owen 'back to his best'

Gerard Houllier warned today that Michael Owen is back in business as the striker chases his 150th goal for Liverpool.

Owen bagged his 149th Liverpool goal in the 2-1 win over Manchester City on Wednesday and hopes to break his record in Sunday's televised 4.05pm match against Portsmouth.

Owen, 24, had previously gone nine games without scoring but needs just one more to become only the eighth Liverpool player to reach the 150 mark and Houllier said: 'I am pleased Michael has scored. It was a good goal and he had other chances. Every time he had the ball he was a threat.'

Portsmouth's Teddy Sheringham, Steve Stone and Patrik Berger are all out of the fifth-round trip to Anfield.

Sheringham has a torn hamstring and Harry Redknapp admits the 37-year-old striker could be 'out for weeks, months even'.

And Berger, who limped off after an hour of Wednesday's 2-0 home defeat by Chelsea, is considering a return consultation with knee specialist Richard Steadman in Colorado to see if there is any new cartilage damage.

New £400,000 striker Ivica Mornar is set to keep his place as Sheringham's deputy on Sunday. Russian Alexei Smertin is also able to return to midfield after been barred from the Chelsea game under the terms of his loan from Stamford Bridge.