This week’s newspapers have been full of 'Liverpool in crisis' articles. Tuesday's loss to Lyon in the Champions League was the Red's fourth defeat in a row - their worst run of form in 22 years - and the doomsayers have been out in force.

The owners, the manager and the players have been slammed relentlessly but on Sunday there will be at least one person at Anfield more unpopular than the lot of them. Former Liverpool darling Michael Owen returns with arch-rivals Manchester United and can expect a hot reception.

Tony Barrett explains the situation in his column in The Times.

"Given his current allegiances, Michael Owen will have few friends in the Anfield crowd on Sunday. Selling your soul to the Red Devils is an unforgivable act as far as the Liverpool fans are concerned and there is more chance of Sir Alex Ferguson being guest of honour at the next meeting of the referees association as there is of Owen being given a warm welcome by the Kop.

Owen will inevitably be baited mercilessly with fans planning to make their feelings towards him known whether he starts the game or not. Should he be named as a substitute and asked to warm up in front of the Kop then the probability is that he will be confronted with the kind of venom that no other former Liverpool player has had to endure on a visit to his old club."