In May 1997 a small 17 year old lad scored on his Liverpool debut against Wimbeldon. By the end of the following 1997-1998 season this young man would have successfully taken over from Robbie Fowler as Liverpool’s leading goalscorer. He would finish that campaign as the joint top goalscorer in the Premier League with 18 goals. He was acclaimed by his fellow professionals as the PFA Young Player of the Year. He became England’s youngest international since the turn of the century and catapulted himself into the England 1998 World Cup Team. He scored a wondergoal against Argentina to firmly place himself on the international stage. And the rest they say is history.

This small lad, as you may have guessed by now, was Michael Owen, the Liverpool Legend. In the eight years that spanned his Liverpool career he was the inspiration for many great Liverpool moments. The goals just kept coming season after season (160 scored in 300 appearances). There were hat-tricks, winners and stunners galore. There was a Ballon d’Or in 2001. Owen was the best in the whole of Europe! There were cup victories (5 in total) and who will ever forget that treble year (2001) and the FA Cup. With seven minutes to go till what seemed inevitable defeat Owen pounced to score from eight yards. Then miraculously with only two minutes to go till extra time Owen did what Owen does best. With an electric quick turn of pace that left Adams and Dixon in his wake he was one-on-one with David Seaman. And as the ball rolled across the line moments later Owen was our hero and our Legend and Liverpool were FA Cup WInners.

Three seasons later Liverpool had failed to win the League under Gerard Houllier. The Chairman turned to Rafa Benitez to bring hope of a league title back to Anfield. With Gerrard, Owen, a new manager and hopefully a few new players (maybe even Aimar) many a Red, including myself, was dreaming of a strong title challenge.

Who is to know what happened during that summer. What thoughts went through his head? All I know is on the eve of the start of the season Liverpool’s top goalscorer for the previous 8 seasons shocked us all by leaving home. The entire affair did not sit well. He had refused to play during the Champions League qualifiers. He had waited to the very last moment to make up his mind, leaving Liverpool little time to find a replacement. And in “forcing” a move through his actions, added to the fact he had only 10 months remaining on his contract, one of the most lethal strikers in Eurpoe, a former Ballon d’Or winner and our top goal scorer moved to Real Madrid for £8 million plus Antonio Nunez (who was later sold for a paltry estimated £2 million). How could he?

To add insult to injury Owen has since his time at Real Madrid snubbed two opportunities to return to his home, opting first to go to Newcastle United and then to Manchester United instead of coming back to Liverpool. And it is the last switch that has inspired this article. Jamie Carragher was recently quoted in Sky Sports Magazine as having said Owen will likely receive a “frosty” reception on his return to Anfield on the 25th of October in Manchester United’s colours. To my heart he will have earned the boos he is likely to receive with his every touch.

Watching the Manchester Derby a few weeks back it hurt to see Owen celebrate a winning goal for the wrong Reds. In a couple of day’s time the reality of the fall of a Liverpool Legend will hit home literally. With every move since the summer of 2004 Owen has drifted further away and fallen greater depths from the affections of the Anfield faithful. The fall of a Legend is nearly complete. A goal against Liverpool, at the Kop end, for Manchester United will see him hit rock bottom. I hope that will not become the final chapter in the story of Michael Owen, the Former Liverpool Legend.

I normally do not like talking about other teams but yesterday I was pissed off with Aston Villa!! They could have done us a huge favour by beating United or even holding on for the draw but instead they go and loose the game! When I saw United’s starting eleven I knew that this side could concede goals. Seriously, Gary Neville and Evans at centre back! Torres and Gerrard would have had a field day if they were up against those two. And then Fletcher and Carrick in the middle of the field, what a soft midfield.

Villa could have taken United to the cleaners but as is the problem with all team that go to Old Trafford, they are afraid to attack United and would rather sit back and hold onto what they have. You do not let United attack you because they will end up scoring just like that Macheda guy did. Villa are a team in free fall. After such a brilliant start they now will not even qualify for the Champions League. They needed to walk away with something from Old Trafford yesterday, not only for their sake but for our sake too.

But it is okay, the race is still on for the title. We just have to win all our games and I am sure United are going to slip up along the way.

I am sure there are many fans sitting composing new songs and chants to welcome John Terry to their grounds after his tea-leaf mother provided us with enough ammo to last to the end of next season never mind this one. Obviously the credit crunch has hit Jt very hard in the pocket and the £125000+ wages cannot stretch to help his family survive in these difficult times. I feel so sorry for them…NOT… but I bet if i got caught nicking over £1300 worth of goods I wouldn’t be let of with a caution…get them into the nick where they belong.

But enough of the soap-box rant. We have all been on the receiving end of the old favourite ”In your Liverpool Slums” from away supporters at Anfield. Funnily enough it is Chelsea more than others who love this wee tune as their Pimms drinking, Prawn sandwich eating supporters like to remind us of how much money they earn/have. Well i thought it was about time a new version was released and I would like to thank Ms Terry for the inspiration.

” In your Chelsea slums,

You steal from Tesco’s for something to eat,

An M&S tracksuit and then some dog meat,

In your Chelsea slums.”

Very simple re-write but good fun.

Tonka Out - YNWA

JFT96..RIP

I know it aint got anyhthing to do with Liverpool but the “lets all laugh at Spurs” bandwagon is still rolling and i thought this attempt by some Chelsea supporter was too good not to share -

To the tune of American Pie

A long,Long time ago,

I can still remember,

How the Carling Cup win made them smile,

And they knew this could be their chance,

To finally make that big advance,

And maybe, break the top 4 for a while.

But transfer windows made them shiver,

As Robbie Keane went off to Liver…..

Pool, and Berbs to Man U,

You can’t believe it can you? Read the rest of this entry »

That seems to be the order of operations over at White Hart Lane these days.

After reading the quotes from Daniel Levy about how the Keane deal “wasn’t a transfer deal” and that we had forced them to sell against their will lead me to a few thoughts:

1. Keep your finances in order - Let’s assume for a second you didn’t blow 16.5 million on Darren Bent and various other stinker deals. Now we’re looking at a team that doesn’t need to sell players to balance their books quite so desperately.
2. Get some results on the pitch - Instead of sacking your manager and buying worthless players, how about contemplating getting it together to push at least into the UEFA Cup via the Premeirship and not relying on a Carling Cup run. You’re telling me that with their squad last season they couldn’t achieve a better league place? What that tells me is that there weren’t enough players there interested in putting it all together over an extended period of time. Anyone can get lucky in a cup competition like the league cup, but real quality is shown in the league. (Burnley anyone?) Anyhow, the point is the fact that the Carling Cup isn’t the Champions League, it’s not even the FA Cup. There’s a reason none of the top sides put out a full strength squad for the majority of the competition.
3. Have some balls - If you’re that concerned about us forcing your players to our club, how about you try a novel approach and tell us no? If you don’t need the cash, tell us just where to take our 19 million and what to stick it in. The fact that he is our player and our moneybags are currently flooding into your bank accounts tells me that in fact you did want to sell the player. I’m not stupid, and neither are your supporters. Have you heard of Cristiano Ronaldo? I’m pretty sure you have, and where did he go this summer? Oh that’s right…… back to Old Trafford.

Anyhow I just found myself angered by the idiotic comments Tottenham have been spewing forth, and hope that Daniel Levy never wins another trophy. I don’t believe in behaving like a child, even if you do have millions of pounds floating about. Grow up and accept the fact that your running of the club has led you to sell your captain “against your will”.

It certainly wasn’t against your bottom line.