The name Michael Owen still receives major resentment from the Anfield faithful.
After building his way from the academy to the first-team, Owen shared his best footballing moments at Liverpool.
That was until he made the switch to Real Madrid in 2004.
Most fans would never hold a grudge over somebody moving to Real Madrid. Especially with the Galacticos at the time featuring names such as Zidane, Ronaldo, Figo, Beckham, Raul and Roberto Carlos.
Although the timing of his departure wasn’t the best with Rafael Benitez having just signed for the club, he received some backlash, but his subsequent move to Manchester United in 2009 has seen him booed at Anfield ever since.
Speaking on Jamie Carragher’s Podcast last week, Owen detailed his heartbreak at the rejection he still faces, saying it still hurts because he cares about the club and feels it is his club.
His support for the club is highlighted through his celebration for the current side in his punditry.
Despite that, he still feels that he should be amongst those celebrated like Jurgen Klopp’s side will be.
“I can’t help look at players past and present who have done jack s*** for the club.
“Players who have now got jobs with the club and if they stood on the centre circle would have their name sung by the fans and I think I have probably done more in a week than you did for the club.”
Owen had little regret about the move, but acknowledged he knew it was wrong at the time.
“I don’t know what else I could have done,” he admitted.
“At the time I wasm thinking ‘I can go top of the league, Manchester United, mid table Everton, or bottom Hull. I would live away from home if I was at Hull. I don’t know what I could have done.
“You would do exactly the same and you know it.”
The number 23 conceded that Owen attempted to move to Liverpool at every stage, even phoning him two days before he signed for United, asking him to ask Rafael Benitez about whether he would sign him.
Unfortunately for Owen, the eventual signing made sure his place at Liverpool was unlikely to ever be acknowledged again.
Carragher himself has commented that the fanbase should back off with the negativity though and to celebrate his eight years playing professionally for the Reds.
The Chester-born striker won a treble in 2001 with Liverpool; the most successful season since perhaps what the side is likely to achieve in 2019/20.
As Fernando Torres gets a slight pass for moving to Chelsea, perhaps maybe it is time for the grudge to be forgotten and Michael Owen to be recognised amongst Liverpool’s greats.
Picture by Gordon Flood under Creative Media Commons
