Michael Owen was a true Liverpool icon before making the severely criticised choice, particularly among Anfield fans, to join archrivals Manchester United in the summer of 2009, five years after leaving his hometown club.
The 44-year-old former Ballon d’Or winner, who is now a pundit for TNT Sports and BBC’s Match of the Day, further tarnished his reputation after winning the 2010/11 Premier League with the Red Devils, his first and only title.
“Yeah, well, as they say, if you can’t beat them, join them,” he quipped after winning the English Premier League with Sir Alex Ferguson more than a decade ago.
Steven Gerrard, widely regarded as one of the greatest British players in Premier League history, is still considered Liverpool royalty today. The former midfielder is their third-highest appearance maker, demonstrating his loyalty to the club.
Not only that, but his performances over the years, particularly that night in Istanbul, made him a popular figure on the red side of Merseyside. The same cannot be said for Owen, who cut ties following his transfer to Manchester United.
Gerrard Burns Owen After Question About Return to Anfield
Owen: ‘How did you feel about taking a team to your home?’
During Gerrard’s 40-game tenure as manager of Aston Villa, which lasted from November 2021 to October 2022, he faced his previous team Liverpool twice and lost both times: 1-0 in December 2021 and 2-1 in May 2022.
Following the outcome of the former, the aforementioned Owen was on punditry duty and asked how his former teammate Gerrard felt about returning to the famed Anfield, a stadium regarded as one of the most atmospheric in world football.
Chester-born Owen recalled the environment he experienced as a player after leaving Liverpool, saying: “Hello Stevie, it’s Mo [Michael Owen].” I’m simply wondering; we’ve all played and returned to Anfield in various guises. I must admit that I despise going back to play against them, but how did you feel about returning today? How did you feel about bringing a team to your home?
Gerrard, who has played alongside the former Real Madrid striker on 229 occasions for club and country, busted up Robbie Fowler and those with Owen in the studio with the following remark.
“If I’d have played for Man United, I’d have hated coming back as well.”
Perfect time to re-watch this beauty from Steven Gerrard to Michael Owen: ‘If I’d have played for Man. Utd, I’d have hated coming back as well!’ 😂
pic.twitter.com/kWawc9ns3d https://t.co/uVSRnxxwD3
— Boss Liverpool Goals (@BossLFCgoals) November 26, 2024
Owen, who scored 17 goals for the Stretford club, joined them in July 2009 following a brief spell with Los Blancos, a club he had always wanted to play for, followed by a four-year stint with Newcastle United.
After leaving the Magpies, The Athletic said that, aside from his ultimate employers in Manchester United, he was left with three options: an out-of-sorts Hull City, Everton (another unpopular transfer), or simply hanging up his boots to end an amazing career.
Michael Owen’s Career Statistics (Club and Country)
Club/Country
Games
Goals
Assists
Yellow/Red cards
Liverpool
297
158
49
6/1
England
89
40
12
4/0
Newcastle United
79
30
2
2/0
Man United
52
17
3
2/0
Real Madrid
45
16
4
1/0
Stoke City
9
1
0
0/0
Owen admits he feels unwelcome at Anfield.
‘It bloody hurts, so I’d rather avoid it’
The aforementioned story indicated that, in the merciless eyes of the public, the decision to join Manchester United and perhaps cut relations with people who had previously backed him was motivated by the desire to finally win a Premier League title, which he did in 2011.
Despite being ranked sixth among Liverpool’s all-time scorers at the time, with 158 goals in 297 matches across all competitions, Owen’s move to Old Trafford left a sour taste in the mouths of those who had backed him from young to old.
In a recent interview with The Athletic, the former centre striker, who has 89 England caps due to his potent goal-scoring ability, stated that his heart still “bursts with pride” as he approaches Anfield.
However, he added that he feels the emotion is not shared by those who support the six-time European Cup winners. Instead, he is overcome with nervousness.
“I don’t feel as though I’m welcomed or loved and it bloody hurts, so I prefer to avoid it.”
Owen, a polarising character in the eyes of Liverpool supporters, made his senior club debut in 1997, emerging as a hotshot talisman capable of both scoring and creating goals at an alarmingly consistent rate.
The speedster had a lot of success with the English giants, winning the UEFA Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and the FA Cup – but it’s easy to forget what a fantastic talent the former marksman was, especially if you support Liverpool.
