Michael Owen's reaction to whether he's a 'Liverpool legend' speaks volumes
Michael Owen spent years at Liverpool before later tarnishing his Anfield reputation by joining arch-rivals Manchester United, and the man himself has had his say regarding his Reds status
Michael Owen believes he is actually a Liverpool legend, despite his highly unpopular move to rivals Manchester United in 2009. The Chester-born former England striker began his career with the Reds aged 12 and quickly ascended into first-team contention.
The then-teenage sensation ousted an injured Robbie Fowler in early 1998 as first-choice striker at Anfield, and was the joint-winner of the Premier League Golden Boot that same season under Roy Evans.
On the back of a treble, Owen was awarded the Ballon d’Or in 2001 but quickly caught the eye of Real Madrid, who eventually snapped him up in 2004. A short spell in Spain led to a Premier League return with Newcastle United, and although Owen later kitted out for the Red Devils – much to the dismay of Reds fans – the 45-year-old asserts that this has not dented his Anfield legacy.
Asked by former Manchester United, Aston Villa and Coventry City hitman Dion Dublin if he considered himself to be a Liverpool legend to this day, Owen laughed and looked away during the BBC Sport interview, before then confidently replying: “In my eyes? Yeah!”
After his career had regressed somewhat off the back of a mediocre spell with Los Blancos and a string of significant injuries, Owen signed for Sir Alex Ferguson’s United 2009 on a pay-as-you-play deal – donning Cristiano Ronaldo’s vacated No.7 shirt.
He would remain at Old Trafford until 2012, winning three trophies, including his only Premier League title. Yet, despite this success, Owen admitted he didn’t like facing his former side.
“I didn’t like it [facing Liverpool],” he added. “I didn’t like it, no. Don’t get me wrong, I signed for Manchester United and loved my time there. I could’ve signed for Everton! I would’ve been hated no matter what I did.”
It wasn’t just returning to Merseyside with Liverpool's rivals that had Owen feeling uncomfortable, as, upon joining Newcastle from the Bernabeu in 2005, he experienced a similar strife.
“Forget it was Manchester United,” continued Owen. “I hated going back [to Anfield] with Newcastle as well. I just didn’t like playing for any other team against Liverpool.”
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Owen has opened up about his move to St James's Park further, revealing in his book, ‘Reboot - My Life, My Time,’ that he always had his heart set on an Anfield return instead.
"I should have followed my gut instincts," Owen wrote. "I didn't want to go there [Newcastle] – my heart was set on a return to Liverpool.
"From a career perspective, there was no doubt in my mind that a move to the North East was a downward step. As unpalatable as that opinion might be to Newcastle fans, that's more or less what I felt."