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Liverpool legend Michael Owen launches into Churchillian speech - and it’s gone down badly
MICHAEL OWEN has launched into a ‘Churchillian speech’ on live TV to defend the Liverpool players.
Owen was appearing as a pundit for BT Sport before Liverpool’s clash with Burnley when he reacted to suggestions the Anfield stars were wilting under the pressure.
Liverpool could have gone 10 points clear on January 3 had they beaten Manchester City but a loss that day - and a string of poor results since - has left them four points behind the leaders.
But Owen is not buying it that it’s down to players struggling to cope.
“You got to these games, this is life, this is what you do,” passionate Owen said.
“It’s alright for us looking in and thinking ’that must be nerve-racking’ - but it’s not.
“It’s not. This is something they are very, very good at. Go and ask him to do something he’s rubbish at. He would be nervous about doing it because he’d be scared of failing.
“They know they can play in front of this set of demanding fans and that they can go all the way until the end of the season - because that’s what they do, that’s what they are born to do. That’s why they train every day to do.
“Yes there’s pressure but these lads aren’t feeling it.”
It’s alright for us looking in and thinking ’that must be nerve-racking’ - but it’s not
The heartfelt monologue stopped BT Sport presenter Jake Humphrey in his tracks as he replied: “I love that, a Churchillian speech from Michael Owen to start a Sunday!”
But while Humphrey loved it, there were scores of fans on Twitter who didn’t.
“Don’t no why that p**** gets any air time. The man hasn’t a f***ing clue,” wrote one.
“My hatred for Michael Owen knows no bounds,” added another. “Way too early for Michael Owen. Stupid early Sunday kick-offs,” said a fellow user.
While one wrote: “@themichaelowen is an absolutely horrible pundit.”
But there was at least one supporter on Owen’s side following his emotional defence of the Liverpool stars.
A Twitter user named Graham Murphy wrote: “Strange to say it. But Michael Owen making great points on BT sport.”