Michael Owen not surprised by Liverpool downfall

Owen is a hate figure at Liverpool having joined United (GETTY IMAGES)

Michael Owen insists he is not surprised at how swiftly Liverpool have plummeted down the table.

Owen won four major trophies with the Anfield outfit, including three during the 2000-01 campaign under Gerard Houllier.

But after finishing second two seasons ago, Liverpool missed out on a Champions League place last term and have been forced to bring Kenny Dalglish back to spark a revival after a dismal Christmas period that included defeats to Wolves and Blackburn, sent them tumbling into the wrong half of the table.

Not of this is Owen's concern anymore. Indeed, the 31-year-old was part of the Manchester United side that turfed Liverpool out of the FA Cup at Old Trafford yesterday.

However, he remains close to Steven Gerrard - who was sent-off - and Jamie Carragher - who missed out through injury - and has strong opinions about life at his old club.

"I am not particularly surprised," he told United Review.

"I would say their position reflects where they are right now.

"They are in the middle of a transitional period and off the pitch they have had a change of ownership.

"They are also very reliant on a couple of star players and if they are out injured, they have tended to struggle."

Although Owen's move to Manchester United ensures he will never be welcomed back into the Liverpool fold with open arms, it does allow him a detached perspective.

And even if he opts not to share the information he has been given, it is evident things have been going badly wrong behind the scenes.

"I don't think they would ever forgive me if I said what they had told me," reflected Owen in a separate interview with ITV Sport broadcast immediately before this afternoon's game.

"Throughout all those successful years Liverpool built their foundation on passing and moving.

"But, from when I was there, everything has changed, barring two players. They even got rid of the doctors and the medical staff.

"Maybe there have not been enough Liverpool players over the last 10 years.

"If there was just one reason, then it would have been fixed. But there have been so many."