Owen blames Liverpool mismanagement for injury problems

(REUTERS) - Former England striker Michael Owen has blamed mismanagement in his early days at Liverpool for the injuries that have blighted his career.

Writing on his website (www.michaelowen.com) on Friday, the Stoke City player also said he would not have had so many fitness worries if he had joined Liverpool's rivals Manchester United at a younger age.

Owen, who signed for Stoke in September but has made only four substitute appearances for the Premier League club, is sidelined with a hamstring injury, a problem that has followed him throughout his career.

"It is my genuine opinion I have become injury prone due to overplaying at a young age," he explained. "In my case I certainly feel like I played too much too soon.