In his autobiography, Steven Gerrard (Liverpool’s Captain Marvel who once wanted to leave the club for the roubles at Chelsea) has talked about his sordid life and Liverpool FC in general. Going through its pages is an excruciating ordeal. However, there is this interesting piece of information, or rather opinion, that I managed to notice. In the book, Gerrard talks about former Kop legend Michael Owen. He calls Owen ‘the best striker in the history of Liverpool FC’. He goes on to add that “Michael was as much a part of Liverpool as the Kop and the Shankly Gates”. There is hardly a more credible source that can back Owen’s claim as a Liverpool legend. He scored a mammoth 158 goals for the club, helping Liverpool win a number of matches single-handedly.
There was a time when so much as looking at Owen would cause nausea in me. Liverpool and Owen were so intricately woven around one another that to hate one was to hate the other. However, the world of modern football is strange, its rules non-existent. There are no sworn loyalties any more, club allegiance is already a thing of the past. Luis Figo, Paul Ince, Eric Cantona and more recently, Carlos Tevez have done what was once considered unforgivable- crossing the hate divide. Predictably these people got hell when they went back to their former clubs donning the colours of the enemy. This weekend, Michael Owen will make his way back to Anfield wearing a red jersey again, only this time they will flaunt the crest of Manchester United. It is quite obvious that Owen will be subjected to a healthy dose of Kop fury. The question however is: Does he deserve it?
Now before you label me a hypocrite for booing Tevez for his act of betrayal and protecting Owen from the same charge, let me put forward all my cards in front of you. Firstly, Owen’s move to United is not an outcome of his love for money. It was just a case of a talented striker, whose career was in the doldrums, trying to resurrect his days of glory. Figo, Cantona and Tevez made the switch across the divide at the peak of their powers; Michael Owen’s peak was already a thing of the past when he made his move. Also, never after leaving Liverpool has Owen bad-mouthed his old club; a sin that Tevez committed in copious amounts and for which he never will be forgiven. The Liverpool faithful did not boo Robbie ‘The God’ Fowler when he turned out for Leeds against them, why then should they boo Owen for the same sin? But then Owen is turning out for United, Liverpool’s greatest rivals, which changes everything, right? But then what explains their booing Owen when he turned out for Newcastle with whom the Scousers share no apparent hostility?
I do realize that defending Owen is an exercise in futility. It is not as if all Liverpool fans would flock to my blog and change their perception of Owen overnight. He will get booed all the same. The important question is whether he will be able to handle it. From what he has said in the press, it looks like he does.
“I’m human. I’d prefer people to sit down and recognise what you did for them and for the team in years gone past but I’m pretty realistic as well. Now that I’m playing for their local rivals – I’m not holding my breath, put it that way. People talk about loyalty in football, and for a football supporter it’s easy to preach about that. As a father and a brother and a son there’s no one more loyal than me. But when you’re a player, you’re not a fan. I’ve got to earn a living, provide for my family. I supported Everton as a kid. I never supported Real Madrid, but I played for them. It’s a job opportunity, just like anyone else’s work.”
There’s some straight and honest talk for you. No being diplomatic and no sucking up. Of course, this professional attitude means that he will never achieve cult status at any club. However, this also ensures that Michael Owen will give his best for the club every time he gets an opportunity. From what I have heard, Owen will also celebrate as usual if he scores. Which he should, considering the lack of affection he has got from the Kop faithful.
Michael Owen will once again walk past the ‘This is Anfield’ sign on Sunday- a sign that he used to tap for good luck every time he used to turn up for Liverpool. This time however the walk past the sign will be accompanied by jeers not cheers. Nonetheless, Owen’s job remains the same as ever- he needs to put the ball at the back of the net.
P.S. Check out this excellent piece of work by Scott the Red from ROM. Come back with 18 we most certainly have!
