ROBBIE FOWLER EXCLUSIVE
22/05/2007
TWO years ago I sat in the stands at the Ataturk Stadium watching with increasing disbelief as Liverpool produced a miracle against Milan.
I was with my brother Scott, and my old Anfield team-mates Steve McManaman and Steve Harkness, and we all went through an incredible range of emotions on one of the most stunning evenings I've ever witnessed.
But I have to confess that among all the elation was more than a touch of regret. In my career, I've tried never to get caught in that trap of wondering what might have been, to let bitterness creep in. But that night, as I watched my team parade the Cup around the stadium, I couldn't help it.
I saw a few of the lads later, and they said the same thing to me: "You should have been there."
Honestly, I was happy for them, but I was gutted at the same time. People know by now that I didn't want to leave Liverpool when I was sold to Leeds, and that night I felt that I had been robbed of my chance of ever playing in a Champions League Final.
Two years later, and I've been in a training camp for the past week, preparing for a final against Milan. Weird! I might still be in the stands of course, and I guess I might still be muttering under my breath about being robbed of the chance of playing, because there are no guarantees in this Liverpool squad.
Yet to even be part of this, to have played in the semifinal and to have experienced the build-up to the biggest final in club football, to be in a Liverpool squad that reached the European Cup Final, well I'm proud again. I was desperate to come back. When I signed the contract that brought me from Manchester City to my home town, I sat in the car outside Anfield smiling and shaking with excitement.
The boss gave me that chance, and I will always be grateful for that.
When I was sold, I never got the chance to say goodbye to the fans. I've always had a special relationship with them, and going back gave me the opportunity to end my Liverpool career properly, instead of being sneaked out the back door, as happened with Gerard Houllier.
I had a lump in my throat when I played my last game for Liverpool at Anfield. The crowd were magnificent, and it was a fabulous, emotional moment. I was blinking back the tears, because hearing your name sung all around the ground is the most intense feeling. Rafael Benitez gave me that moment, and he showed faith in me where others hadn't.
There's no sentiment in football, and I know he might not pick me for the Athens squad, especially because I'll be at another club next season.
But my Liverpool career isn't over yet ... and I can dream a little.
So I am still hoping with a passion I can go out on a high in the Final in Athens, and play some part in bringing the Cup back to Merseyside. I know there will be about a million Liverpool fans there - or so they'll say afterwards anyway! - and to be part of it will make me a proud Scouser.
I was down to take the fifth penalty in the semi-final, and plenty of people have asked me since if I was gutted that I missed out. It would have been great, I was up for it, but it didn't matter who took the penalty.
It wasn't about personal glory, it was about getting through, and being in this Final. If it goes to penalties again, I'd be happy to take one, I'd be up for it, and I'd be ready. But I'll just be glad to be there, to be part of one of the greatest occasions in the history of one of the greatest clubs in the world. For me, after watching in Istanbul two years ago, after being robbed of that moment, this is perfect. To be able to say goodbye to the club I love after a European Cup Final - now that would make me proud.
CLICKY - The Mirror
22/05/2007
TWO years ago I sat in the stands at the Ataturk Stadium watching with increasing disbelief as Liverpool produced a miracle against Milan.
I was with my brother Scott, and my old Anfield team-mates Steve McManaman and Steve Harkness, and we all went through an incredible range of emotions on one of the most stunning evenings I've ever witnessed.
But I have to confess that among all the elation was more than a touch of regret. In my career, I've tried never to get caught in that trap of wondering what might have been, to let bitterness creep in. But that night, as I watched my team parade the Cup around the stadium, I couldn't help it.
I saw a few of the lads later, and they said the same thing to me: "You should have been there."
Honestly, I was happy for them, but I was gutted at the same time. People know by now that I didn't want to leave Liverpool when I was sold to Leeds, and that night I felt that I had been robbed of my chance of ever playing in a Champions League Final.
Two years later, and I've been in a training camp for the past week, preparing for a final against Milan. Weird! I might still be in the stands of course, and I guess I might still be muttering under my breath about being robbed of the chance of playing, because there are no guarantees in this Liverpool squad.
Yet to even be part of this, to have played in the semifinal and to have experienced the build-up to the biggest final in club football, to be in a Liverpool squad that reached the European Cup Final, well I'm proud again. I was desperate to come back. When I signed the contract that brought me from Manchester City to my home town, I sat in the car outside Anfield smiling and shaking with excitement.
The boss gave me that chance, and I will always be grateful for that.
When I was sold, I never got the chance to say goodbye to the fans. I've always had a special relationship with them, and going back gave me the opportunity to end my Liverpool career properly, instead of being sneaked out the back door, as happened with Gerard Houllier.
I had a lump in my throat when I played my last game for Liverpool at Anfield. The crowd were magnificent, and it was a fabulous, emotional moment. I was blinking back the tears, because hearing your name sung all around the ground is the most intense feeling. Rafael Benitez gave me that moment, and he showed faith in me where others hadn't.
There's no sentiment in football, and I know he might not pick me for the Athens squad, especially because I'll be at another club next season.
But my Liverpool career isn't over yet ... and I can dream a little.
So I am still hoping with a passion I can go out on a high in the Final in Athens, and play some part in bringing the Cup back to Merseyside. I know there will be about a million Liverpool fans there - or so they'll say afterwards anyway! - and to be part of it will make me a proud Scouser.
I was down to take the fifth penalty in the semi-final, and plenty of people have asked me since if I was gutted that I missed out. It would have been great, I was up for it, but it didn't matter who took the penalty.
It wasn't about personal glory, it was about getting through, and being in this Final. If it goes to penalties again, I'd be happy to take one, I'd be up for it, and I'd be ready. But I'll just be glad to be there, to be part of one of the greatest occasions in the history of one of the greatest clubs in the world. For me, after watching in Istanbul two years ago, after being robbed of that moment, this is perfect. To be able to say goodbye to the club I love after a European Cup Final - now that would make me proud.
CLICKY - The Mirror
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