Owen: Treble is on

Michael Owen sealed his place in FA Cup history

Michael Owen declared Liverpool's treble hopes well and truly alive, after his FA Cup final double defeated Arsenal in Cardiff.

The Anfield ace brought the Reds level on 83 minutes, after Fredrik Ljungberg had put the Londoners ahead.

And he sealed the title with a blistering goal in the final seconds.

"It's unbelievable," Owen said. "This makes up for missing out on the Worthington Cup final.

"We put three strikers up front and for much of the match we were not the better side. I just can't believe this."

Michael Owen made the difference - he's been like that for a month

Liverpool boss
Gerard Houllier

Liverpool have already picked up two titles this season and, should they defeat Alaves in the Uefa Cup final on Wednesday, will have achieved a remarkable treble.

"We want the Uefa Cup," Owen said. "And a Champions League spot - that would cap the season. The treble is on."

Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier admitted Arsenal were the better side.

"What can I say?" he said. "We were not the better team.

"We made some mistakes, perhaps because we were nervous and we didn't pass the ball well behind.

"Michael Owen made the difference. He's been like that for a month."

Goal-line clearances

Gary McAllister, whose presence on the pitch sparked a dramatic change in Houllier's side, added: "I don't know what happened.

"We were 1-0 down when I came on. It's unbelievable. Michael is a very special player."

Liverpool survived three goal-line clearances and were lucky not have had a penalty awarded against them when Patrick Vieira's shot rebounded off Stephane Henchoz's arm.

Sami Hyypia, whose foot twice saved Liverpool, when Westerveld was beaten, was understandably delighted.

"I was in the right place at the right time," he said.

We've lost two big games now - we need some new players that goes without saying

Arsenal boss
Arsene Wenger

"There's no doubt we had luck on our side and we had to take our chances.

"We had to risk everything when we went 1-0 down. But it was worth it. This is very special."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted it was difficult to blame his players after such a brave performance.

"We expected Liverpool to come at us on the break," he said.

"But we had the chances to win it. It sums up our season - playing well and then losing it in the dying seconds.

"We've lost two big games now - we need some new players that goes without saying."