What kind of reception will Owen get?

[Nic83]

Diouf was a prick of a person. He used to spit on people ffs! Michael never did anything wrong, all he did was take an oppertunity most could never even dream of.

I have a funny feeling that he always felt he would go there for a few years and end up returning to LFC. Shame it hasn't happened. A team with torres and Owen is a title winning one.

[lfcchris]

From the daily post: I think it sums up my feelings towards him as well, he should get a warm welcome, as he was pure class when he played for us. The comment about him being a legend is perhaps a bit overboard, as of the way he left us - but he should still be treated well on his return...

REDWATCH: Time to treat Owen like the legend he is

Mar 5 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

THE visit of Newcastle United on Saturday offers us the chance to redeem ourselves for one of the more shameful events seen in Anfield in recent years – the booing of Michael Owen on his first return to the club on Boxing Day 2005.

One of our greatest ever goalscorers was visibly shocked that day at the reception he was given by a sizeable proportion of those inhabiting the Kop on that allegedly festive date. The seasonal cheers had a distinctly frosty edge as Owen was reminded that, in the first season after his departure for Real Madrid, we had won the Champions League without him.

From memory, the only respite from the taunting was a cursory rendition of his signature chant as he lined up for the kick-off in the second half, which was met with a grateful hands-over-head clap for those whose memory span exceeded that of the average goldfish.

For true Liverpool fans, it was a saddening sight to see Michael labouring as first amongst unequals, the black and white stripes on his shirt mirroring the lack of colour in his team-mates’ football.

In general, returning Reds are accorded a magnanimous welcome when playing in front of the Kop, the exceptions appearing to be those who left us voluntarily (McManaman), those who slagged us off after their departure (Collymore) or the complete losers (Diouf).

Thus the likes of David James, who seemed to spend most of his Liverpool career jetting to fashion shows in Milan and addicted to PlayStation, are welcomed home like conquering heroes, while the likes of Michael Owen are pilloried because they decided they’d quite like to play for Real Madrid.

There are of course exceptions to these general rules and Saturday will provide a fine example, when Kevin Keegan assumes his place in the visitors’ dug-out (do they still call them that?).

King Kev is still feted at Anfield and rightly so, his energetic displays and ‘telepathic’ understanding with John Toshack lingering long in the mind.

Yet here’s some interesting statistics for you. Keegan was at Anfield for just six seasons, scoring 68 goals in 230 appearances. By Michael Owen by comparison spent 11 years at the club and scored 118 goals in 216 appearances for the first team.

Keegan also left Liverpool to seek new challenges abroad and guess what? We won the European Cup in 1978, the season after his departure.

Yet we won’t be singing ‘Where were you at Wem-ber-ley’ on Saturday will we?

So why the rough treatment for Michael? I suspect it’s down to the equally puzzling half-hearted support he was given while he was here.

Despite his many achievements, he was never afforded the undying affection heaped upon the likes of Fowler and Rush, with whom he shares comparable records.

I’ve never met anyone who can explain this satisfactorily to me, from suggestions that he was not really ‘one of us’ (born in Chester; Rush was born in St Asaph); to his success with England (we wanted him to fail?); to his clean-cut image compared to Robbie Fowler (okay, you’ve got me there).

Nevertheless the lack of warmth towards him was palpable, even though he always gave his all to the Liverpool cause.

So let’s take the opportunity to right a wrong on Saturday and remember not the player we felt turned his back on us to seek greater success abroad, but the man who won us the FA Cup practically single-handedly in 2001, the one who clinched the League Cup win over Man United in 2003 and the two goals he scored at Roma on the way to the 2001 UEFA Cup.

The man is a Liverpool legend, and should be treated as such.


http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/...64375-20558364

Agree, fully with that. He was never treated the same way as rush, fowler and now seemingly torres, yet his record spoke for itself.

Another thing I really hate is hearing people shout I hope he breaks his legs, and things to that extreme. How you can wish that on any player, but more so a past player is beyond me.

I dont remember hearing anyone shouting that and slagging him off when he was banging in goals for us almost every week, when he won us the FA cup, or when he won the european player of the year (ballon d'or i think).
And, I am pretty sure, it would be those same fans who were so dissappointed when he had his numerous hamstring injuries!!!

They need to think back to them times and give him a good reception.

[bobbyfallon]

owen in fairness deserves a good reception - by now he will have realised he made the biggest mistake of his life. a fit owen and torres would be class up top

[zimbo]

There are of course exceptions to these general rules and Saturday will provide a fine example, when Kevin Keegan assumes his place in the visitors’ dug-out (do they still call them that?).

King Kev is still feted at Anfield and rightly so, his energetic displays and ‘telepathic’ understanding with John Toshack lingering long in the mind.

Yet here’s some interesting statistics for you. Keegan was at Anfield for just six seasons, scoring 68 goals in 230 appearances. By Michael Owen by comparison spent 11 years at the club and scored 118 goals in 216 appearances for the first team.

Keegan also left Liverpool to seek new challenges abroad and guess what? We won the European Cup in 1978, the season after his departure.

Yet we won’t be singing ‘Where were you at Wem-ber-ley’ on Saturday will we?

Keegan was given quite a rough ride when he returned to Anfield as a player. Remember in both the Super Cup game v Hamburg and when Newcastle came in the FA Cup in 1984 that there were chants of "You only went for the money", whereas, in the latter game, the returning Terry Mac was given a great reception.

Paul Ince wasn't exactly welcomed with open arms when 'Boro played us either.

And I distinctly remember Michael Robinson getting a rousing chorus of "You fat *******" when we played QPR in the League Cup semis in 1986. Although that was more of an observation than a criticism.

[Pablo]

He will be gutted that he is not in a red shirt tomorrow. I hope he gets a good reception to remind him of what he is missing here.

I am sure Carra and Skyrtle will give him a 'suitable' reception.

Pedantic I know but its Skrtel.

As for Owen I dont think he will get much of a reception either way. I just dont have much emotion left for the guy anymore personally.

As Shaggy said though I will never forget those two goals that ROBBED Arsenal in the FA Cup Final in 2001.

[Yozza]

As Shaggy said though I will never forget those two goals that ROBBED Arsenal in the FA Cup Final in 2001.

There's an Arsenal fan in my office who goes off on a huge rant whenever I mention that... fantastic

[Tee]

Owen is a legend in my eyes. In all honesty I still not seen a striker who excited me more when than Owen he first broke into the team.

[WILF]

No need to boo Owen , he must know that he fecked his career when he left us.
He provided some good memories for us , and then looked after his own interests, badly

As others have said , it is classless to boo ex-players (apart from spit the dog)

[BFG]

I'd give him a round of applause if I had a ticket but I can thoroughly understand anyone who felt the opposite, he did leave us in the **** so he could 'win medals' afterall.

True heroes don't run down their contract then leave on the cheap but credit is due for the time he was here.

[Barnyard]

I'm just chopping a Pig's head off now and buying a large mac to smuggle it in under...



Seriously though. He did ditch us for what he considered more glamour but I think he has had enough Karmic payback by the fact that he is now a 2mph dwarf trying to play the holding front man role for a **** club.

So no boo's from me.

[Bender]

Booing ex-players is completely classless. Anyone who feels like booing ought to cast their minds back to that sunny afternoon in May 2001.

FFS.

what about DIOUF WOULD YOU BOO HIM

[Parm]

He should get a good one. anyone who boos should smack themselves in the head. So he thought he need a fresh challenge is his career, so what. Only silly people would hold this against them. And I'm sure there will be plenty of these silly people at anfield tomorrow unfortunately.

fair comment, to be honset he left a long time ago now, polite applause for him and lets get on with the matter at hand.

[Shaggy]

what about DIOUF WOULD YOU BOO HIM

I have booed him. And some more. I was in the main stand for "that game" against Bolton when the prick was sat there dressed like 50 Cent and whoopin' and 'ollerin' every time they went near our box

As said above, he's the exception to the rule.

[NIred1]

what about DIOUF WOULD YOU BOO HIM

Chalk and cheese. Diouf was and still is an uber cunt

[Imy]

Owen is a legend in my eyes. In all honesty I still not seen a striker who excited me more when than Owen he first broke into the team.

No need to boo him, let the boys in red WHIP the barcodes with a rugby score, that will have a better effect