LIVERPOOL boss Gerard Houllier has hinted that Michael Owen may be rested from tonight's game with Rovers at Ewood.

England striker Owen has yet to complete a full 90 minutes for the Reds since returning from World Cup duty.

And Houllier has gone on record as saying he needs to protect his young protege from the threat of burn-out, which could see him withdrawn from the firing line against Rovers.

"It definitely will happen, that Michael will be rested at some stage," said Houllier.

"I have to do it for the good of the player and the good of the team.

"I know that Michael is reluctant to miss games, but what's the point if you push and push and push him, and he breaks - and then he's out for two months or so?

"That is not the right approach.

"We have to be careful, we have to be clever with him.

"You have to give him that break before he breaks, you have to handle it right because it is a delicate situation."

If Owen misses out then Emile Heskey will partner new £10 million signing El Hadji Diouf in attack with Jon Arne Riise recalled on the left.

Liverpool will choose from: Dudek, Xavier, Henchoz, Hyypia, Traore, Riise, Carragher, Murphy, Gerrard, Hamann, Cheyrou, Heskey, Diouf, Owen, Kirkland, Smicer, Babbel, Baros, Berger, Diao.