Michael Owen: Liverpool fans don’t love you, they really don’t

By: Sarah | September 4th, 2010

michael-owen-liverpool

A few weeks ago, Daryl asked how you feel about Michael Owen returning to Anfieldto play in Jamie Carragher’s testimonial match…in a Liverpool jersey. Well, this weekend, Liverpool fans got the chance to express their feelings about Michael Owen-who left the club for Real Madrid before returning back to the Premier League in a Newcastle jersey and finally ending up at Manchester United.

Jamie Carragher had addressed the possibility of Owen receiving a cold reception for the crowd before the game and urged fans to consider Owen’s situation before judging him…

He left in difficult circumstances, but when he went to Manchester United, his career was on a bit of a downward spiral and he’ll admit that himself.

So the chance to go to one of the biggest clubs in the world was difficult to turn down. He moved and upset some people, but he had to do what was right for himself and his family.

His kids were just starting school and he wanted to move back home so that came into it as well.

I think he deserves a great one [reception] for what he did for Liverpool. He was a fantastic player, right up there with the greats for what he did.

According to reports, the crowd did not follow Carragher’s recommendation and booed Owen every time he touched the ball. Other reports have cited the crowd reaction as the reason why Carragher took the second penalty,as Jamie explained to the Daily Mail …

I asked the referee to give us a penalty before half-time because I was thinking about Michael as I wanted him to score – I totally forgot that people would want me to take one.

But I think the crowd would have killed him if he’d taken the penalty listening to their reaction.

On a more positive note, it was great to see Gerrard participate, despite the upcoming England Euro qualification game. Gerrard was given permission to play by Capello and the FA- and I have to say I can’t imagine celebrating Jamie Carragher’s career without him. The two have been such a constant duo throughout both of their careers. It just seems right and I’m glad that the FA recognized that.

So Liverpool fans, what upset you more: Seeing Michael Owen return to Liverpool or seeing Jamie Carragher gleefully score FOR Everton against Liverpool?

To discuss this and the rest of the Liverpool news – visit The Offside-Liverpool blog!

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Category: England, English Premier League, Europe, Leagues

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Kado Fado

hi maichael owen you were the best before you maked liverpool better and i realy like you and your the best i hoppe that you will be the goodest player in the world
Fred West

Never held him in the same high regard as Fowler like most fans. He was a great striker for us but wasn't and never will be an LFC legend. He left LFC to win things but signed for clubs for th emoney and damaged his international career in doing so. He shoulod have been a far better player than he was and never quite moved on from France 98. His image will always be tarnished by wlaking away from LFC at one of their lowest ebbs in recent years and forcing the clubs hand by letting his contract run down. Unfortunately he never loved the club like it loved him. I therefore believe that those who booed had a right to boo him. Great day for Carra though, he really is a legend.
Redsmailmike

Everyone is so touchy

Firstly he didnt break the record for the record number of goals for Liverpool. Ian Rush scored massively more.

Secondly other players chose to leave of different reasons and dont get this treatment.

Thirdly, Man United offered him a contract, no one else including Liverpool did.

And finally, he isnt quite a Liverpool legend as we save that title for people who achieved a little more at the club (Dalglish, Rush, Liddell, Hughes), or local boys who stayed for a long time (Callaghan, Carragher, Smith, Gerrard, Fowler). Its not a criticism its just a fact.

The club was in turmoil, oh but we won the CL - a little far fetched. Owen wasnt to know Cisse would break his leg so thats hardly an argument.

So why are we willing to remember his goals but when it comes to it, not give him credit for making a decision that he now probably regrets.

Thankfully, the vast majority of the crowd on Saturday appreciated Owen in some level and those with short memories vented their spleen. As is their right.

Last point. There's lots of Man United fans who have come in here to defend Owen (though he really doesnt need that) and attack the Kopites. I must point out that thats the only time I have ever heard boos for an individual representing LFC wearing the kit. By virtue of woprking around the country, I have visited lots of grounds and seen that few other clubs can say that. I vividly remember being in the Stretford Enbd on Gary Pallister's debut where Robert Fleck ran United to a 2-0 defeat. Before that game, 4 of the United starting eleven got booed - go figure!
Michael

stop being such a loser LIVERPOOL Fans!!!!!
He was once the kop and is a legend in liverpool
dont u dare forget how many trophy he has helped u win
he left because Liverpool cant win the EPL title and guess what? it is still a fact right now!!!
owen is always my idol and will always be in the future
shame on all of you fans booing him
Kurt

if he had stayed he would be a CL and FA Cup winner ;=)
Forget him , he made wrong decissions to many times and isnt worth putting up there beside Carra and Fowler.
Ben

Neither bothered me!!!
James Hopetoun

Does anyone understand what "You'll Never Walk Alone" means anymore?
Lad was a superstar, he let us and himself down, but he deserves respect as a former red.
Never doesn't mean until we're done with you (or you with us)
Diane

Perfectly put, and I still think we should have asked him back before United did. He's not the first young player to make a poor choice, and I would have loved to see him come home and try to make up for the years he had lost there. As to his character, if he's Carra's best friend, he's alright with me.
Isgoods Isgood

yes i know is good
Terry Dickman

the reception was mixed - some boos and some clapping but overall no-where near as bad as say, if sol campbell put on a spurs shirt for a mate
terry tucker

He is one of the best forwards to ever wear the red shirt. If he was booed it is because we used to love him so much...and now it it hurts to see him in the shirt of our most bitter rival. We should never forget the goals he scored ofro ur great club...he was lethal.
Premier League Guide

A small minority of fans were booing him - not the majority. Most people cheered when he got the ball to drown out the boos. Fair play to him I say. I could not have been easy to come back and do that for his best mate but he did. Shame on those 'fans' who tried to ruin the day.
Ed

Turns out that every part of this is a nonstarter.

Owen's reception was maybe initially lukewarm (and probably due to the needless hype), but the intent of today was never to air grievances or give anybody a hard time. From what I saw and heard, it was, as others have said, a definite minority that found themselves to be awfully clever by booing him. I'd expect a wholly different environment if he figures in league, however.

As for Carra scoring the penalty for Everton, I'm guessing you were sarcastic--if not, and you saw it, hopefully you know it was clearly in jest and meant for laughs. Playing off his early days as an Evertonian and his worrying propensity for netting past Liverpool's keepers.

Overall, not a day for people to get fired up about anything other than the causes at hand. It was an earned testimonial for Carra and better yet, it raised a good amount of money for charity, so anyone getting butthurt based on today's events should take a step back.

Except that f***ing Michael Owen, I'll show him.
OffsideSarah

Yes, I was being sarcastic re: penalty for Everton- I thought it was hilarious. And reports didn't filter out conflicting the booing stories until after I had published this- either way, I think the "Gerrard hero, Owen villain" story is hilarious. How can someone playing in a charity match be painted a villain? Its beyond me.
Ed

Agreed completely--didn't mean to come off harsh, so sorry if I did. I was just too pissed at Michael Owen to think straight.
Madasabottleofchips

Ever since Michael left his one true love Liverpool FC...He's been chasing the money.
Redsmail

Look, there's lots that will be written about this but in truth Michael Owen's reception was not that bad. His first touches were met with boos from a fairly small group of mindless idiots. As the first half went on, the vast majority of people seeing he was beening booed took steps to clap louder than the boos. Michael had one shop that was deflected just wide which had the crowd on their feet in hope and no boos were heard. His original departure left a bad taste with some, running down his contract without ever saying what his intentions were. the fact that he is at United now is more down to Benitez's stubbornness than his own preference. He would have jumped at the chance to come home. I was on the Kop today and the football played by him, Heskey, Luis Garcia, Cole and Murphy, albeit in Testimonial conditions, was excellent. Shame about the boos but it was representative of no more that 5% of the crowd. Lets not go overboard about it.
Vabela51

For who's sake are we being so saintly. Seems that one's memory is so short.

No way my dear friend....what he did to our club hurt badly not just for leaving but even more for running down his contract. Yes I must admit that he was my idol once but after all I support Liverpool and not M.Owen.
Redsmail

Its exactly the argument about short memories that makes the boo-boys argument fall flat on its face.

Memories - FA Cup Final 2001 - Less than 15 minutes to go and Liverpool were frankly being stuffed by Arsenal. Enter Michael Owen. The result was a win and a fantastic feeling

Add to that his goals against Everton, Arsenal, Man United (quite a few). He was great Liverpool player for ages, Some of his decisions may have cost him the legend status that Robbie Fowler will always have but you cannot wipe out all the good he did for us. Unlike Collymore, Ince and Diouf (the only other LFC former players I can remember being booed at Anfield) he never bad mouthed the club. Indeed its clear a part of him still loves it.

So no more talk of short memories and being a saint and a little more perspective hey.
Gord

He was paid to score those goals and it was quite right he did. In return he got vast sums of money and the adoration and love of the crowd. In the end he left to 'win' things, he could have shown some loyalty and signed a years contract extension, cos god knows we needed him so badly that season. Houllier had just left, and we played essentially with 1 striker all season cos Cisse broke his leg and there was only Baros left.

The club was in turmoil, by some fluke or fate we managed to win the CL that year, but the fact remains that if Owen had any love for the club, he would have signed an extension, helped the club who had started his career and whose fans loved him; and left on amicable terms the following summer, with the respect of the fans intact.

Instead he chose to join Madrid, then chose Newcastle for the money (won a lot with both of them didn't he?). The final nail in the coffin was joining the mancs. He will be remembered for his goals, but he will never truly be a legend for Liverpool.
roy

he has broke the record of the number of goals scored in liverpool
how could he not be a legend
stop being so small minded
if you wan to aim for higher challenges, would u stay at your always the same wall or leave the wall
ask urself then
Dave

In answer to your question. I wasn't nearly as disgusted as I'd expected to be by Owen's presence. After all, it's only when he turns out in a United jersey that I feel as though I'm watching my girlfriend cheat on me. As for Carra scoring for Everton... well, he supported them as a kid, and I'm sure that when he's not playing against them, he must wish them well. I imagine it was for of a self indulgence than an act of revenge against the crowd.

To summarise... neither incident upset me, and I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the occasion. Respect to all members of both clubs who combined their efforts, making this event possible.