Owen out to prove his worth March 07 2008
Michael Owen insists the desire to prove himself to his old team-mates will spur him on to help clinch Newcastle's first win under Kevin Keegan against Liverpool this weekend.
Owen missed a catalogue of chances as his side slumped to another home defeat against Blackburn last weekend and is itching to prove he is back to his best form when he returns to Anfield for this Premier League match.
He told Newcastle's official website: "If you get a result at your old club it's always nice - and then you can meet old friends, knowing you've given them a good game.
"You don't want to be sticking your head down and sliding out of a side door to get back on the coach and get back up the road."
Despite boss Keegan admitting his side face a major battle for survival this season, Owen says he still has confidence in the current squad to pull themselves out of trouble.
He maintains that not only can his team-mates drag themselves back into the top half of the table but they can go on to prove they are a match for any of their top-flight rivals.
Owen added: "When we're firing on all cylinders we can complete with some of the best teams in the Premier League.
"But we haven't been playing well or creating chances, and 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 beat anybody."