LONDON — Michael Owen is desperate to break his scoring duck against former club Liverpool Wednesday and end an eight-year wait. The 33-year-old hit 118 goals during his prolific Anfield career but since leaving for Real Madrid in 2004, he has not been able to break through. “It is a strange feeling really playing against your old club, especially one where you were for around 15 years,” Stoke striker Owen said. “Liverpool are a big part of my life and career and I had some of the best times of my life at the club. “So certainly I have happy memories. I have not been so happy playing against them since; I have never scored and not particularly enjoyed it.” After leaving for Spain eight years ago, Owen went on to play for Newcastle and Manchester United. On Wednesday, he hopes to make his first Stoke appearance since Oct. 27 having overcome a hamstring problem. Owen, scorer of 40 goals in his 89 appearances for England, believes that aside from perhaps ending his goal drought against them Stoke can extend its eight match unbeaten run which sees it just one place behind eighth placed Liverpool. “I don't see any reason why not,” said Owen. “We had a really tough start to the season and we picked up points against some of the big teams. Then we went into a period of games where you would look at them on paper and say we had a chance of picking up points, and we have duly done that. “We are on a nice run of form. Every game is tough in the Premier League, but there is no reason why we can't continue it.” However, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is sure his team can cope with Stoke's physicality as he prepares for the trip to the Britannia Stadium. The Reds are finishing 2012 strongly, with a run of four wins in five matches taking them to within five points of the Premier League's top four. Rodgers is satisfied with the speed that the Reds have adapted to his passing strategy since his arrival from Swansea in the close-season. And he has no concerns that Stoke's aggressive approach will ruffle his team's smooth style. “It's always going to be a tough challenge and a tough game but we'll be ready for it because you have to be able to mix your game as well and this team can do that.” — Agencies
