Carragher wary of Owen threat

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is pleased to see former Red Michael Owen back at a top-four club, but hopes his friend finds life at Manchester United tough going.

Carragher predicted United's latest signing could prove a masterstroke for Sir Alex Ferguson, but is crossing his fingers the England striker struggles for goals in the Premier League title race.

"Signing Michael Owen was a clever piece of business by United and he has started really well in pre-season," Carragher told the Sunday Mirror.

"In a way I'm pleased he's got a big move to a big club because he came in for a lot of criticism at Newcastle.

"Why? What did he do wrong up there?

"For me, Michael Owen is still a great player and great role model and I have this feeling he'll be good for United.

"But he plays for our biggest rivals now so he'll know I won't want him to carry on scoring once the season starts."

He added: "He's scored a lot of goals in the first few games for United and I hope he scores a few more pre-season because I want him to do well.

"But as soon as the season starts I hope he has a drought."

Despite his respect for Owen's talents, Carragher believes Liverpool's forward pairing of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard could not be bettered.

"No other team in England has a partnership like Gerrard and Torres. There is no better partnership in the world at the moment.

"It's strange to be talking about Stevie as a striker, but that's what he has become and, for me, in that position behind the main forward there is no one better.

"When he's playing alongside Torres they have the ability to tear defences wide open in a split second."