Liverpool, July 17: Michael Owen scored twice to steal the honours on Harry Kewell's Liverpool debut in a 3-1 win against German side Cologne.
Kewell was little more than a spectator as Owen, sporting a new haircut and beard, came on as a second-half substitute to win the friendly at the RheinEnergie Stadium.
The £5m signing from Leeds also only appeared in the second half as Liverpool began the game with what appeared to be their second string.
Emile Heskey, whose place could well be under threat this season, opened the scoring after eight minutes, reacting quickly to a misplaced crossfield pass before neatly sidefooting home from 25 yards.

Marius Ebbers put Cologne level after 13 minutes and the score stayed that way until half-time when Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier made 10 changes, with only centre-half Igor Biscan staying on.

Kewell was introduced, surprisingly on the right of midfield with Danny Murphy on the left and Neil Mellor partnering Owen up front. Kewell was soon switched to the left but in the meantime, Owen put Liverpool ahead, dummying a defender and coolly stroking the ball home after being put through by Steven Gerrard.


The England striker added a third with two minutes to go when he punished a poor backpass to round goalkeeper Stefan Wessels and roll the ball home.

Bureau Report