EXCLUSIVE: Michael Owen said the Reds should have kept pushing after taking the lead against Manchester City, and the mistake was allowing that momentum to dwindle
12:01, 09 Feb 2026
Nico O'Reilly is challenged by Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch
Michael Owen told Liverpool.com that Liverpool allowed the momentum to slip away from Liverpool in its defeat to Manchester City
Michael Owen feels Liverpool “lost impetus” after scoring the opening goal against Manchester City on Sunday, as it failed to push on in the latter stages of the game.
Dominik Szoboszlai’s sublime 74th-minute free-kick handed Liverpool the chance to take all three points at Anfield, but later goals from Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland meant Pep Guardiola came away from Anfield with three points for the first time with fans in attendance.
The defeat represents a huge dent in the Reds’ momentum, especially after a weekend in which Manchester United and Chelsea earned victories to extend their Premier League advantage over the Reds.
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Jamie Carragher admitted he no longer feels confident that Liverpool will secure a top-five finish, and Owen, speaking exclusively to Liverpool.com, shares those concerns.
“It was an incredible game,” the former striker said, reflecting on Liverpool’s defeat to City.
“Once Szoboszlai scored the free-kick, everything was going great. I expected Liverpool to keep pushing. The second half, they were playing particularly well.
“I did feel that they sat back a little bit. I mean, you can imagine then that City have got to go forward to try and get the equalizer, but I did think that Liverpool lost their impetus a little after they scored that goal.
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Owen felt it was a mistake not to push on and look for a second goal against City
“Leading up to that goal, I thought it was really good, so that was a little bit disappointing,” added Owen, who is now the UK ambassador for the online casino comparison site Casino.org.
“Obviously, with what's happened this season, conceding so many late goals, that must have an impact as well. You start thinking: ‘We've got something to hold onto, come on, let's concentrate, defend, let's make sure they don't score and keep things tight’.
“As soon as you lose that impetus, Liverpool over the last decade have not been a team to sit back and defend.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Michael Owen, former Liverpool player portrait before the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield on September 17, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Michael Owen was speaking exclusively to Liverpool.com(Image: Getty Images)
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“Defending is really having the ball and going forward for Liverpool and getting another goal, and that's what it's been based on for years. I don't really like it when we lose our impetus, and we did that after scoring the goal.
“So, ultimately, a disappointing result. And now, obviously, it puts massive pressure on because the problem is those Champions League spots around fourth and fifth, the teams that are occupying them are actually in really good form, and there's a little bit of a gap now.
“It's going to require a big push now to get in the Champions League.”