Alan Shearer Gets Tough and Drops Michael Owen

EPL: Alan Shearer, Newcastle United - Chelsea (PA)

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Newcastle United manager Alan Shearer has taken the tough decision to drop Michael Owen - his close friend and former team-mate - from the vital Premier League match away to Liverpool on Sunday.

The Magpies are deeply embroiled in a desperate relegation battle, and Shearer is running out of time and options to save his beloved but beleaguered club from the dreaded drop.

Shearer is trying to find the elusive combination of personnel and tactics to keep the Toon afloat against the odds - and the name of Owen is not on the teamsheet pinned up at the club’s training ground, The Times has revealed.

It's a bold decision that may surprise many as Shearer has often been Owen’s staunchest supporter. The pair played together for Newcastle and England.

But notwithstanding any late withdrawals because of injury, Shearer will field a five-man midfield at Anfield, and have Australian Mark Viduka playing as a lone striker, rather than ex-Liverpool star Owen, who will probably be on the bench as Newcastle search for precious points.

One of Shearer's first decisions on taking over from Chris Hughton last month was to bring back Owen, 29, who had been dropped. Shearer said then, “If Michael is fit, he will start.”

But in the four weeks since then, the Magpies, eighteenth in the table and three points adrift of safety, have not won a match. Nor has Owen scored. In fact he hasn't scored since January.

Fabio Capello, England's manager, is expected to be on Merseyside on Sunday to watch the game against Liverpool, and given that Owen's last game in a Three Lions shirt was as a second-half substitute against France more than a year ago, the striker will be doubly disappointed at missing out on a chance to impress the Italian tactician.

Owen’s contract runs out at the end of this season and his boyhood heroes, Everton, are reportedly keen - although Owen has been enthusiastic about Shearer’s management.

Asked about Owen, Shearer told journalists on Friday, "If I believe he can [lead Newcastle to an Anfield win], then that will be reflected in the team on Sunday.,” he said. “If I believe that he can’t, then that’s a decision I have to make.

“But I will go in on Sunday with the team I believe will be best suited for a particular game to get us a result.”

Shearer added, “I have been mad in my time and I do not want to give away any formations or selections, but I tend to agree that, yeah, it might be mad to go there with three up front.

"Workrate-wise with Michael, there is definitely no complaint whatsoever — he’s always in the top three or four players on the pitch. If I do decide to drop one of the three strikers it will be a tough choice. Michael is still banging them in during training, but I want him scoring in games.”