Just how tough is it playing for a high profile club like Liverpool? Shoot asked Reds legends Jamie Redknapp and Michael Owen for the answers.

Michael Owen and Jamie Rednapp. It's rare that 'SHOOT' gets the chance to speack to two of the biggest names in fottie at the same tiem, but that's exactly what happened when we met them at the launch of Axa's 'Kit For The Community' scheme.

Axa are donating 1,000 team kits to a host of schools and clubs in need of new kit and they plumped fo Anfield School in Liverpool for their first hand over as they are a school which encourage girls into the game.

And what a kit they handed out. A sparkling white number which 'King of Style' Redders was well impressed by.

"The kit we're giving out really looks good and rewards the youngsters who have done well to get in the team."says the England international.

"And it should benefit the school team because others will see how good the kit is and say I want to get into the side and wear it."

But what do the dynamic duo feel about Liverpool's chances of winning their first Premiership title? Can they take Euro glory as well and are they worried about the pressures of the game at the top level? Read ol as the Reds stars talk to SHOOT.

Can Liverpool still challenge for the Premiership title?

JAMIE:"We are not in a position where we would want to be at the moment so we need a few wins behind us now as soon as we can. And from there we have to look at putting a bit of a run together. But there's always time. Last season Arsenal came from nowhere to win the title and we can do the same."

MICHAEL:"There is still a long way to go so there is no need to press the panic buttons. The important thing is not to lose too much ground onl the frontrunners otherwise we'll always be playing catch-up. All we need is a couple of good back-to-back wins and that will do our confidence the world of good."

Do you get nervous before a big game? MICHAEL:"Everyone gets a bit nervous before the kick-off and I think that's just a natural thing in football. I would rather have a few nerves than not at all because I think it helps you concentrate much more, really."

JAMIE:"It's nice to have a few butterflies and I do suffer from that myself. But some players are actually sick and I'm glad I'm not that bad as I don't think that would help me."

You both had differing world cups, didn't you? MICHAEL:"I have done a lot in domestic as well as international football during the last year and the World Cup was a good experience for me. Hopefully there are a few more to come but I have been there and done it so that is nice to have under my belt. I did learn a lot from playing in the tournament and the experience has helped me. In fact, I would have to say it was the highlight of my career."

JAMIE:"It was the complete opposite for me. I was in a race against time with my knee problem. I gave it my best shot but I knew that I wouldn't be able to do myself justice and told Glenn Hoddle so. It was very hard to watch, knowing that I could have been out there. But I am young and if I can steer clear of injuries, I hope to be a part of Euro 2000."

Is it hard being a famous footballer? JAMIE:"It's nice, to be honest, as long as you understand what it means and it doesn't change you as a person. You have to remember that just because you get a little bit of fame it doesn't make you a better person."

MICHAEL:"I try not to let if affect me, especially at the club. We have a good group of lads who get onl well with each other in the dressing-room so there is no room for anyone with a big head."

We're interviewing you at school. Did you work hard at you studies? JAMIE:"Everything I worked for at school was aimed at being a football player. I tried my hardest to be a footballer and I wasn't that good at school to be honest. I was lucky though and I do think you need to work hard and pass exams because if you can't achieve your dreams you ned something to fall back on."

MICHAEL:"If you want to be a footballer it is a good thing to get an education before you start out because not everyone that wants to play football makes it into the game. Studies are vital and everybody should remember that."

So who did you support as a youngster? MICHAEL:"When I was little I wanted to play for Everton but as I got older I changed my allegiance and wanted to play for Liverpool. My dad played for Everton and I had the chance to join them at one point but I was with Liverpool then and I liked the backroom staff and the players and decided to stay at Anfield."

JAMIE:"I was a West Ham fan and used to love the way they played their football. It's handy now that my dad is manager there so I'm allowed to still have a soft spot for them. It's always nice to play at Upton Park, especially if we win."

Having both started out at a young age. Do you worry abut burning out, lads MICHAEL:"I speak quite a lot with the managers and they regularly ask me if I feel fine and I respond by saying I will let them know when I need a rest. I think that is a good way to respond because I want to play games. But the managers do protect me. They pull me out of training and certain other things. When I was substitute against Valencia, it wasn't as if the manager was saying I wasn't playing well enough. He said it would be to the benefit of myself."

JAMIE:"Personally, I've been okay but then I've had plenty of unwanted rest with injuries! But I worry about the future kids who are playing the game. Some of them have to play for their school team, local team, district sides and maybe their country teams. And many of them play o big pitches too. That needs to be looked at."

Is there pressure playing professional football nowadays? MICHAEL:"When I was younger I didn't have any worries in the world about pulling on a shirt and playing football. That is no longer the case. It's nice to pull on the white shirt and play for England as it is one of the best achievements a footballer can have but there is always pressure because winning is so important. It's how you deal with it which is important."

JAMIE:"There is pressure but you have to learn to enjoy yourself as well. Playing for Liverpool has been a dream of mine and a lot of players are still striving to play for the club like Liverpool and I am doing it right nwo so it's a good feeling."

Have you been surprised how tough your games with Valencia have been? MICHAEL:"Not really. I think 0-0 in the first-leg was a lot better than 1-1 because they didn't have the adventage of an away goal when it came to the second-leg and that made all the difference. But we were relieved to get through in Valencia and showed a lot of grit and determination,which isn't always associated with us!"

JAMIE:"The second-leg result was brilliant for us. We took our goals very well and deserved to win really. All the nonsense at the end was a shame for us but we were well pleased to go through."

Copyright � 1998-1999 Christy Chan. All rights reserved.