Did Liverpool Fans EVER Like Michael Owen?

Last updated : 05 March 2008 By Footy Mad - Editor
The newspaper reports (and may I say ... I fabulous piece of journalism):

"The visit of Newcastle United on Saturday offers us the chance to redeem ourselves for one of the more shameful events seen in Anfield in recent years - the booing of Michael Owen on his first return to the club on Boxing Day 2005.

"One of our greatest ever goalscorers was visibly shocked that day at the reception he was given by a sizeable proportion of those inhabiting the Kop on that allegedly festive date.

"For true Liverpool fans, it was a saddening sight to see Michael labouring as first amongst unequals, the black and white stripes on his shirt mirroring the lack of colour in his team-mates' football.

"Thus the likes of David James, who seemed to spend most of his Liverpool career jetting to fashion shows in Milan and addicted to PlayStation, are welcomed home like conquering heroes, while the likes of Michael Owen are pilloried because they decided they'd quite like to play for Real Madrid.

"There are of course exceptions to these general rules and Saturday will provide a fine example, when Kevin Keegan assumes his place in the visitors' dug-out (do they still call them that?).

"King Kev is still feted at Anfield and rightly so, his energetic displays and 'telepathic' understanding with John Toshack lingering long in the mind.

"Yet here's some interesting statistics for you. Keegan was at Anfield for just six seasons, scoring 68 goals in 230 appearances. By Michael Owen by comparison spent 11 years at the club and scored 118 goals in 216 appearances for the first team.

"Keegan also left Liverpool to seek new challenges abroad and guess what? We won the European Cup in 1978, the season after his departure.

"So why the rough treatment for Michael? I suspect it's down to the equally puzzling half-hearted support he was given while he was here.

"Despite his many achievements, he was never afforded the undying affection heaped upon the likes of Fowler and Rush, with whom he shares comparable records.

"Nevertheless the lack of warmth towards him was palpable, even though he always gave his all to the Liverpool cause.

"So let's take the opportunity to right a wrong on Saturday and remember not the player we felt turned his back on us to seek greater success abroad, but the man who won us the FA Cup practically single-handedly in 2001, the one who clinched the League Cup win over Man United in 2003 and the two goals he scored at Roma on the way to the 2001 UEFA Cup.

"The man is a Liverpool legend, and should be treated as such."