ENGLAND rivals Kevin Phillips and Michael Owen will be trying to out-gun one another in this afternoon's clash between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield.

Owen goes into the game ahead of his Wearside counterpart in the international pecking order after a great start to the season which has brought six goals.

Phillips, in comparison, has had a slower start after missing his club's pre-season build up through injury and has hit the net three times, his latest strike coming in the 3-0 Worthington Cup victory over Second Division Luton Town.

Sunderland manager Peter Reid knows that the two hit-men will be carefully scrutinised - and Liverpool's Robbie Fowler will also come under the microscope if he leaves the substitutes bench.

Reid said: "The three of them are top-drawer when it comes to sticking the ball into the net and they are all different.

"Michael Owen must be very happy with his start to the season whereas Kevin Phillips has not yet been at his sharpest and strongest, though he still gets chances and goals in a team which is not playing well yet."

Reid added: "Kevin has had a lot of kicks in the teeth during his career, having been released by Southampton and playing non-league football and yet he has always bounced back.

"The thing about him is that he doesn't worry - he will take chances and he will miss chance, but he will keep getting there. That's terrific and he is single-minded, which is all that matters.

"He knows that people will be comparing him with Michael Owen - that's a fact of life.

"They are both in the England squad - Michael has had a great start but Kevin is getting back his sharpness, which he showed in midweek."

Reid would not be surprised if England coach Kevin Keegan decides to watch the game.

"I think it will be a good game. Besides Kevin and Michael there are a lot of good players he could be having a look at."

Reid admits that his side's away form, having lost at Manchester City, Ipswich and Manchester United, has not been good enough for a team which was expected to improve on its seventh placing last season.

He said: "Our away form has been poor and disappointing and we need a vast improvement.

"I've tried to emphasise that when we go away from the Stadium of Light it's the same pitch and the goals are exactly the same size. It is a matter of going out and playing with confidence.

"We had a terrific last season and in finishing seventh we made a rod for our own backs. You have to go and get results and I am just looking to getting as many points as we can.

"A good result at Liverpool could really kick-start our season. We need to get something out of the game."

Reid has taken the unusual step of naming the side which beat Derby after making eight changes for the midweek Cuptie.

He said: "The lads got a lot of confidence from the victory over Derby County and I've got a feeling that we will do a lot better at Anfield, even though we know how hard it will be.

"Up to now we haven't played as well as we can and we haven't been firing on all cylinders.

"The players got a massive boost against Derby and they will feel more relaxed.

"I think there is a lot more to come from the team and I hope it will come at Liverpool.