On the day Michael Owen's transfer to Real Madrid was confirmed, I was reminded of all the bad feeling I got when Robbie Fowler left. Batman had been discarded by Gerard Houllier, and now that a new manager and a new period of "building" was starting, Robin was making a run for it.
But as I watched it all unfold, I turned to the nearest guy to me, and assuredly scoffed, "He'll be back."
Fast forward four unsuccessful years. A part-time job as a Bernabeu bench heater, followed by a test subject for the Newcastle medical team, and suddenly, the words "Owen" and "Liverpool" are hooking together again like Velcro.
So, should Liverpool fans be dragging out their "Baby Faced Assassin" banners and giving him a fanfare, or do they have grounds for a certain amount of scepticism?
After all, when he left the Reds of his own volition, the board, with sleep-disturbing flash-backs to Steve McManaman's Bosman free transfer to Madrid, was forced to take a knock-down fee plus a surplus Real winger who only lasted one season at the club, for England's best striker and Liverpool's principal goal threat.
Now he's potentially coming back, at 28 years old, already being called a has-been by the critics. He's been dropped from the England squad, and struggles with injury.
But then there's the fee that's being mentioned. £2 million for a proven English goalscorer seems like the sort of January bargain you only see on the high-street during a recession.
His affinity with Liverpool could also mean a wage cut, and a willing acceptance of a second-fiddle role to a fit Fernando Torres.
So, what do we reckon? Open arms welcome for the Boy Wonder? Could our new Batman be about to get the old Robin? Tune in this January to find out. Same bat-time, same bat-channel.
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about 1 month ago
I think Owen will definitely move from Newcastle David, but I'm not so sure if he'll end up at Liverpool. I've a sneaky suspician that he'll end up at Spurs.
Wherever he does end up though he'll be a real bargain, £1M or £2M depending on which paper you read is an amazing price for such a talented player.
from about 1 month ago
I'm sure Spurs would offer more money for him, since perhaps their striking options are a little more limited than Liverpool's and so there's a greater need. I suppose a lot of it will come down to a test of what Owen wants. Thanks for the comment.
about 1 month ago
If it is for the reported 2 million then yes, its worth having him as back up.
Nicely written
from about 1 month ago
I agree. We don't need someone who'll be awesome all the time, we just need someone top-class who can back up and give an option. I think Michael would be perfect, personally, along with Emile should Owen prove unavailable. Our realistic striking options are Torres, Keane, and Kuyt, with Babel mostly suffering bad days this season and Ngog needing a bit more time. I always believed any team needs at least four top quality goalscorers, and right now we don't have that. Owen would fill that gap.
about 1 month ago
I'm not sure whether Owen is past it or not, maybe he just needs a fresh start because he should be around his prime now. If any club can get him for £2million he is definitely worth a gamble.
from about 1 month ago
I agree.
about 1 month ago
Is he Liverpool quality? When he gets fit with some games under his belt, then yes. The thing that worries me most is that he has lost all his pace that made him so deadly! He plays more as a deep lying centre forward now, which is where Rafa has just spend £20 mil on Robbie Keane. Still, £2m for Owen, you can't go wrong really! And if it means not getting Stewart Downing then all the better!
about 1 month ago
there was a similar discussion thread on the liverpool website, i was a bit surprised about how the majority of posters there claimed that they didnt want him. its worth remembering that he did want to return to liverpool after leaving madrid, but we were unable to match newcastles price. if he can stay fit, then i'd be happy to see him come for £2m, he'd have a more immediate impact as a backup striker than ngog or voronin, who we got for £1.5 and on a free respectively
about 1 month ago
Juste read his on the Liverpool website:
Benitez was also quizzed on whether he would look to bring in another striker in January - possibly Michael Owen.
He responded: "Clearly I can guarantee that we are not going for Michael Owen."
26 days ago
I've got even money he'll end up in the US. He's a perfect fit for the American league (see article I recently wrote on the subject).
Nice article.
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