I bet you Michael Owen wishes he had a time machine

[kerowack]

Leaving Liverpool was the worst decision of his life. His careers been on a downward spiral since and to kick the horse in the ass, he missed that flight home from Istanbul (which I'm sure was some amount of fun).

[655321]

One of his buddies who watched the final with him was quoted as saying "he looked like a man who won the lottery, but lost his ticket", and I can't think of any better way to put it.

[AnyLuckForEngland?]

Michael Owen was my favorite player once, he made me love football again in the 98 World Cup. But when he left Liverpool he had already been supplanted in my heart by Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher. I was shocked when he was sold to Real Madrid, the only mistake Liverpool made was giving him up for so little. 8 million pounds was pathetic considering how much Real Madrid would pay for my school's janitor, as long as he was a forward or an attacking midfielder. I know we got Antonio Nunez, but seriously, the deal was terrible. That was the only thing I would have liked, Liverpool selling him for more.

But he was already past his prime. He no longer had that quick first step to separate himself from the defender like he used to. But he really didn't get a fair shot at Real Madrid, he was already better than Raul but Raul was the golden boy and wouldn't get supplanted unless he got the plague.

He admits he grew up an Everton fan, and it shows. With him, we might not have won the CL or gotten to the Final this year. Thanks for abandoning Liverpool Michael Owen, addition by subtraction.

[ForeverRed]

I don't hate Owen for leaving, he seems like good hearted guy and is probably in pretty bad shape mentally between leaving a team that found success after his departure and battling injury on and off.

Shame but thats the tragedy of football.

[revs]

Going back to the title of the thread, Michael Owen is nowhere near where he was while at Liverpool...He probably curses himself for leaving every day. Poor lad, he deserves better.

[liverbird]

He had bad management and made stupid decisions -- but the little shit scores a goal every other game he plays -- just doesn't play all taht many games:D

[AndSomeAreAngels]

It was bad enough already for him, but now he's missing another CL final. I remember the situation, and it was ************, but I don't really hold anything against the guy. Always seemed like a good guy and he's gotten his punishment in spades.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

I echo the sentiments of not hating Owen, he was the reason I was able to fall in love with the club. I liked him because like him I was a small, quick striker among big defenders.

Does anyone think that he might come back, a la Fowler? It would make a little sense. Then again, he made a big break leaving the club, probably not as big as Fowler, I would compare Owen leaving to if Gerrard would have left.

[quentinc]

Fowler's style matures alot better than Owen's will. I wouldn't mind him coming back, but it doesn't make as much sense as Fowler, who's a good fourth striker.

He's also apparently never read a book in his life (Owen).

[Pottertons]

I have nothing against Michael Owen at all. I also think it's a bit harsh that he's being slated by some. He did loads for us an just felt that his time was up w/us. End of.

He looked quite decent against reading on Monday. Considering the circumstances.

[el-capitano]

He decided he was bigger than Liverpool- Stevie G didn't.

One will win his second Big Ears on May 23, one now looks like a barcode.

His choice to leave- sucks to be him then- eh?

[el_urchinio]

I for one cannot and will not fogive Owen, not because he left, but because of the reason he left. You don't leave your wife of many years for a stripper because the stripper has bigger breasts.

Sure, every player wants to win titles, but is it really the same thing winning them with Real? Not that he did, anyway, but still.

[TruReds]

Who cares about Owen? This CL Final is dedicated to Fowler who deserves to at least win once.

[ForeverRed]

Fowler's style matures alot better than Owen's will. I wouldn't mind him coming back, but it doesn't make as much sense as Fowler, who's a good fourth striker.

He's also apparently never read a book in his life (Owen).

Plus I don't really see Owen ever recovering fully from his injury.

[canesfan00]

I still support Owen. Hopefully he can learn from his mistakes, get back to his old form, and find some success for his country in the Euro's.

[Drench]

I don’t think Owen wishes he was still at Liverpool? Why would he? He had his time in a Liverpool shirt and it came to an end and now I’m sure he’s more focused on getting his career back on track with Newcastle and re-establishing himself within the England set up.

If there is one thing Owen regrets, it was probably the time he left the club, a few days before the start of the season wasn’t the best time to walk, but what’s done is done. He didn’t feel he could win trophies at Liverpool and better his career with us, so he left for pastures new in Madrid.

You have to accept that not everyone who dons a Liverpool shirt is a Liverpool fans and won’t feel as passionately for Liverpool as you do. I would just remember the good times with Owen and then look ahead to the future, there’s no point crying over poured milk.

[SiriuslyCold]

I don't like the manner in which he left, but don't blame him for leaving. A footballer with a chance to play in a team with Ronaldo and Zidane... hard to deflect that.

[Red Bird]

I always felt he could have waited a year or so, granted the reasons he had wanted to leave were no longer there. But as SiriuslyCold says, Zidane and Ronaldo were ultimately very seductive. As he is responsible for his actions so must he face the cosequences, too. I just wonder if he really thought playing for Newcastle would bring in medals or money? Whatever, he made his bed and must lie in it.

[655321]

It would be foolish to hate any man who scored over 100 goals in a red jersey, but feel free to complain about the circumstance surrounding his departure.:cool:

I just thought the "won the lottery but lost his ticket" comment was spot on.

[LFCFanInCali]

I still break out my 2003 Owen-10 shirt occasionally. Kind of a good luck shirt for me, plus it's a good way to show I supported the club pre-Istanbul. :D

I was upset the way he left at the time, but looking back I can't really stay mad. I really don't think we win the European Cup if he doesn't leave, since there's no way we bring in both Alonso and Garcia without the money we made selling him. A lot of things happened in 05 to get us to Istanbul, and changing the slightest thing about the team likely changes the outcome. And I shudder to think how different the team would be today if we hadn't won in Istanbul.

I hope he can get over his injuries and become a productive player again. Like 655321 said, he did score over 100 goals for us, and without him in 01 we don't win the Treble. Heck, he pretty much single-handedly won the FA Cup final for us. So good luck to him in the future, and I'll continue to enjoy being a Reds fan in the present.