Fowler doubtful for United game

Robbie Fowler is almost certain to be missing from Liverpool's team at Manchester United tonight (live Sky Sports 1, 8.0) despite marking his comeback game with two goals against Charlton last Saturday.

Fowler returned after spending almost seven months recovering from a cruciate knee ligament injury which looked to be threatening his career. Yet despite scoring twice in the 3-3 draw he was understandably sluggish and with the German international Karlheinz Riedle almost fit enough to be considered after a groin muscle problem, Fowler may progress no further than the substitutes' bench.

"We will leave the decision as late as we can," said Liverpool's joint manager Roy Evans. "Robbie has done tremendously well to be back playing so quickly but obviously we must now be careful with him."

Liverpool's captain Paul Ince prepares to stand up and be counted against the club where he became one of England's premier midfielders.

Ince missed both last week's UEFA Cup trip to Slovakia and the Charlton game because of a knee injury but he expects to play tonight.

In a television documentary on Tuesday night United's manager Alex Ferguson referred to Ince as a "big-time Charlie", which Evans took to be more a veiled tribute than an insult. "I would have thought Paul would take that as a compliment," he said.

"Paul is a very influential player for us and, believe me, he'll want to be out there against United."

Michael Owen returns to face United at Old Trafford with the sending off last April still a nagging memory and aiming to "put that right." Owen scored a stunning goal in that 1-1 draw and was then sent off for a lunge at Ronny Johnsen, leaving his team-mates to battle for a point with 10 men.

Owen said: "I was sent off and I blame myself for that. I may have cost the team two extra points, even though they did well to hang on.

"I now hope to put that right. Everyone makes mistakes in their life and I made one there, but it was a learning thing for me."

Liverpool coach Gerard Houllier paid a remarkable tribute to United ahead of tonight's game.

Manchester United have overtaken even Mersey rivals Everton as the club Liverpool most want to beat in recent years. They get the chance to re-inforce their generally impressive start to the season, and heap further misery on a team who have conceded six goals in two traumatic matches against Barcelona and Arsenal in the past week.

But Anfield joint boss Houllier praised the regime of Ferguson, a manager who set out when he came down to England from Aberdeen to break Liverpool's stranglehold in the top flight.

There's no doubt Fergie has achieved that aim, and United's success has gone down particularly badly with Liverpool fans.

But Houllier is still prepared to offer praise where it is due.

He said: "It has to be accepted that after the ban on English clubs in Europe, Manchester United came back and are now a recognised stronghold in Europe, that is to their credit.

"The record of Alex Ferguson speaks for itself. In ten years he has brought the club back to a Champions League level, and they are one of the most important clubs in Europe.

"That is something to admire, and that is what we are trying to build gradually here."

Houllier added: "United have had a good mixture of fine young players brought up at the club and then some top players from outside like Peter Schmeichel and Eric Cantona. That's a good blend.

"They have also managed to change their style of play from Premier League to Europe.

And Houllier warned that you dare not allow United to take an early grip on the game with their power-play.

Co-boss Roy Evans believes Liverpool's play in recent trips to United has deserved greater rewards, where they have drawn twice and lost twice in their last four visits.

Evans said: "Over the past three or four seasons our performances there have been excellent and we feel we should have come away with maximum points.

"A couple of times we have come away with a draw, and other times with nothing.

"We know the quality of United and you saw how they were in the first half against Barcelona.

"But they are certainly not invincible, you saw in the second half of that match Barcelona were able to get back level."

Liverpool are hoping Ince will have recovered from his knee problem to return, and Evans said: "It's a boost when Ince is back, it's been said time and time again the quality of the man.

"But even if he's not ready, we will still go there with great confidence. There are no worries about motivating the players, they don't come any bigger than us against United, and hopefully we will get our just desserts for a change."

Meanwhile, Ferguson insists that Andy Cole and Teddy Sheringham are not for sale as Aston Villa manager John Gregory prepares to make a second attempt to buy Cole after he failed to land him as part of the deal which took Dwight Yorke to United.

And Crystal Palace chairman Mark Goldberg has revealed he wants to bring Sheringham back to London and reunite him with manager Terry Venables.

Ferguson, though, is determined to keep his formidable squad together as he chases his twin targets of Champions' League and Premiership title. He insisted: "There are no players for sale."

Sheringham is likely to miss tonight's match because of his knee injury and Ronny Johnsen is also sidelined with his ankle problem, although David May may make the squad after recovering from his knee complaint.