Michael Owen has lost it. The hamstring in the leg has become a hamstring in the mind. He is not running fluently, holding back when he should be surging. And he is missing chances.
Last Tuesday in the Bay Arena, Leverkusen, all the above thoughts went through more than one person's head. This period was pre-metatarsal, but there was still an outpouring of agonising.
These are hysteric times we live in - there are 46 days to go yet - and, with every 24 hours that pass, the population's medical knowledge will grow. Mass hypochondria is an inevitable side-effect.
So any relief is all the more welcome and there was an all-England pleasure derived from the events of the 55th minute here. When Owen was asked to burst over 10 yards, in between two defenders, to meet a pass from Steven Gerrard, the collective smile Owen created on completion told of a national remedy proffered tenderly.
For Owen did more than was asked. A quick glance at Thomas Sorensen revealed the error-prone Dane was too far off his line. Still, Owen was 20 yards out, sprinting and about to be challenged by Joachim Bjorklund. But Owen's first-time contact was perfect, the ball arced over Sorensen and in. England had its night nurse.
Owen soon turned and gestured to Gérard Houllier, who smiled and pointed; this was a pick-me-up for both.
"The thing about Michael," Houllier said afterwards, "is that, when he comes back from injury, he takes one or two games to get back to his best. But he got himself away from the defenders, he got into a good position. He knows I have great faith in him."
It was Owen's 16th league goal of the season, his 24th overall for Liverpool. He is four months past his 22nd birthday and Tuesday was his 200th senior game for the club. This goal was his 108th.
There are times when we should take stock and England will have a serious weapon if Liverpool can keep their European footballer of the year fit.
Liverpool have four games left, three at home. This win ensured qualification for the Champions League. Yet, though Houlier's side had just moved to within a point of Arsenal, there was a puzzling lack of comment on their title possibilities. Liverpool have played a game more but Arsenal have to go to Manchester United. There is room and time for change.
"Teams aren't slipping," Houllier said of the title race, but they could tell you otherwise here. Sunderland may still need points to survive. They came close here, Jerzy Dudek making good saves from Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips, and there was a heartening performance from Kevin Kilbane.
For most of the game Kilbane was confronted by Gerrard. He is another whose every twist and turn is accompanied by a doctor's note, but there was no holding back and, as Chris Waddle was to note admiringly, Gerrard was playing in Beckham's position. It is certainly an option.
As Waddle said of Gerrard's pass to Owen: "It was cultured, weighted and skilful. He made it look so easy but that was a hard pass."
Guardian Service
SUNDERLAND: Sorensen, McCartney, Craddock (Kyle 80), Bjorklund, Williams, Kilbane, McCann, Reyna, McAteer, Phillips, Quinn. Subs Not Used: Thirlwell, Butler, Haas, Macho. Sent Off: Reyna (90). Booked: Reyna.
LIVERPOOL: Dudek, Carragher, Hyypia, Henchoz, Xavier, Gerrard, Hamann, Riise, Litmanen (Murphy 58), Anelka, Owen (Berger 90). Subs Not Used: Smicer, McAllister, Kirkland. Booked: Gerrard, Xavier. Goals: Owen 55.
Referee: D Gallagher (Oxfordshire).
