Liverpool FC Forum

by **tubby** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 11:52 pm

Bascombe alert. Avert your eyes if you don't like reading stuff from him anymore..

MICHAEL OWEN would have taken a £100,000-a-week pay CUT to rejoin Liverpool.

By CHRIS BASCOMBE, 04/07/2009

Even while Owen was in negotiations with Manchester United, efforts were made on his behalf to force an Anfield intervention.

The England striker was so desperate to return to the club where he emerged as a world-class goalscorer that he would have accepted a basic salary of just £25,000-a-week plus goal and appearance bonuses.

But Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez's doubts over Owen's form, fitness and desire to put his club before his England ambitions ensured he rejected repeated attempts to persuade him to re-sign the player he sold five years ago.

Benitez also recalled how Owen upset the Anfield faithful twice when he left in 2004 and then failed to return in 2005. The Kop boss had no intention of risking being jilted a third time by trying to hijack the United swoop.

Owen had earlier delayed a decision on his future in the forlorn hope his old club would make a move. As the doctors awaited Owen's arrival at Carrington, phone calls were being made in a bid to ignite Liverpool's interest.

Co-owner George Gillett was particularly keen to sign the 29-year-old, having first met Owen in the Colorado clinic where he underwent knee surgery after the 2006 World Cup.

But by Thursday, Sir Alex Ferguson's powers of persuasion had killed Owen's lingering Kop loyalties. Ferguson convinced him to turn his back on both the Merseyside clubs, after Everton had put together a £2.4million-a-year package.

Owen met Goodison boss David Moyes in Miami and was impressed with the Scot's plans for next season. Moyes was prepared to restructure his side to accommodate Owen and was in prime position to sign him.

Chairman Bill Kenwright was also keen on a deal, feeling it would lay down a marker of his club's ambitions.

But Owen was wary of crossing the Stanley Park divide, unwavering in his belief that he belongs on a Champions League stage and can force his way back into Fabio Capello's World Cup plans.

Ferguson moved swiftly with a call to Owen on Wednesday morning and, by Thursday night, a £50,000-a-week contract. Owen could double that figure, though, with goals and appearances to take him close to the £125,000 he was earning at Newcastle.

Ferguson's United will relish the fact Liverpool fans will be cursing more than ever if Owen denies them future titles, because the Kop refused first option of taking the striker back.

Yet it will take only a tweak of Owen's hamstring - or the unveiling of an alternative top-class back-up for Fernando Torres - to justify Benitez's stance. Owen's recent injury record meant Rafa was cautious about taking a sentimental journey.

He is also concerned about what level of transfer resources he has at his disposal, even for bargain deals. That is unlike Fergie, who knows he can afford to make a mistake.

The Spanish boss will be relieved that a saga which began weeks after his arrival from Valencia has come to an emphatic end.

Repeated efforts by Owen's admirers to secure his return to Liverpool were visibly irritating Benitez, always unconvinced of the merits. He insisted he wanted to look to the future, not Liverpool's past.

He was upset at the timing of the striker's departure for Real Madrid in 2004, a month after Rafa became Liverpool boss, but felt more annoyed when Owen did not hold out for an Anfield move a year down the line - despite face-to-face talks and a pledge to take him six months later.

At that time, Benitez felt Owen had shown he was more concerned about being prepared for the 2006 World Cup than playing for Liverpool.

Since then, Benitez has regularly made public his resistance to signing him.

The United transfer effectively ends four years of Owen regularly pleading to return to Anfield. There were approaches by his representatives to secure a Liverpool move every season he spent on Tyneside.

Now Owen has crossed a line no Liverpool fan will accept. The former Kop idol can expect a torrid reception after becoming the first player to join both clubs since Paul Ince.

Ironically, the summer began with Liverpool pursuing a United favourite, Carlos Tevez.

If Liverpool's forlorn pursuit of the South American temporarily crept under the skin of the Stretford End, it pales into insignificance to the back spasms felt on The Kop at the sight of Owen now at Old Trafford.

The failure even to acknowledge his Anfield past when unveiled on Friday, or appreciate the despair felt on Merseyside at the sight of him in a United shirt, hurt Liverpool fans even more.

Ferguson has never made football decisions for anything other than football reasons. But he will be cunningly aware of the wider repercussions.

There is an unavoidable sense the North West superpowers are making transfer decisions they hope will come back to haunt each other.

And while many claim Fergie has taken a gamble on Owen, it may also be argued Rafa has taken a punt in ignoring him.

by **Number 9** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:02 am

I think Rafa is bang on in rejecting him!

Lets face it if he so passionately cares about LFC and its in his heart and he soooo wanted back..Why the fu'ck did he come out and say "I said yes in an instant" to Alex Ferguson??
In fact why did he say yes atal to UTD if he wants to be an LFC player so much and loves the club!

Im only a supporter and I would'nt wipe my @rse with a UTD match programme,never mind play for them...In fact if Fergie offered me a 3 year contract Id sooner rot in the gutter and live out of bins!
LFC is not in Owens heart,never was,never will be....the biggest mistake of his carrer was heading to Madrid and leaving,the second was being "bought" by Newcastle.

It must be like a dream come true for an injury prone has been to be signed by UTD..desperate times,desperate little man!He can go and fuc'k..I had little respect for him anyway,now its absolute zero!
hes a kunt..i really hope we win it this time(i think we will)

The money grabbing little :censored:

should regret the day he ever left this great club!!

by **Dundalk** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:07 am

bavlondon wrote:But by Thursday, Sir Alex Ferguson's powers of persuasion had killed Owen's lingering Kop loyalties. Ferguson convinced him to turn his back on both the Merseyside clubs, after Everton had put together a £2.4million-a-year package.

Owen met Goodison boss David Moyes in Miami and was impressed with the Scot's plans for next season. Moyes was prepared to restructure his side to accommodate Owen and was in prime position to sign him.

Chairman Bill Kenwright was also keen on a deal, feeling it would lay down a marker of his club's ambitions.

I wonder how many teams were in for him that we didn't know about?

by **tubby** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:09 am

Aside from neverton I think it was only Hull. Possibly another premiership side too, Stoke or someone.

by **account deleted by request** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:11 am

Lets face it if he so passionately cares about LFC and its in his heart and he soooo wanted back..Why the fu'ck did he come out and say "I said yes in an instant" to Alex Ferguson??

Because Liverpool (RAFA) didn't want him. What is he supposed to do refuse all offers to play football on the off chance that Liverpool finally decide to allow him back?

What was he supposed to say "I have signed for the mancs (who I hate) but only because I was desperate and Liverpool didn't want me".

If you want to hate Owen thats up to you mate, personally I think WE made a mistake in not signing him and allowing him to sign for that shower of sh!te.

by **Dundalk** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:11 am

Yeah Bav that we know about, how many else were sniffing around that we dont know about. there was also offers from abroad

by **account deleted by request** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:15 am

Dundalk wrote:Yeah Bav that we know about, how many else were sniffing around that we dont know about. there was also offers from abroad

He stated ages ago that he didn't want to play abroad again Dundalk because of the problems with his family.

by **Migueldadon** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:20 am

Reg wrote:Tevez wont join LFC out of respect for Mn Ure fans, shame Owen does have an ounce of honour left in his passionless eyes.

Former reds players hold their heads high as they walk into Anfield after retirement, Owen? He's like that ugly moose you shagged the night before walking back into the pub the next night looking for more.

HORSESHIT, he didnt join the scouse becuase you lot couldnt offer him the hefty wage package he demanded, if he had so much respect for Utd, why the hell is he about to join our cross town rivals.

by **account deleted by request** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:30 am

Migueldadon wrote:
Reg wrote:Tevez wont join LFC out of respect for Mn Ure fans, shame Owen does have an ounce of honour left in his passionless eyes.

Former reds players hold their heads high as they walk into Anfield after retirement, Owen? He's like that ugly moose you shagged the night before walking back into the pub the next night looking for more.

HORSESHIT, he didnt join the scouse becuase you lot couldnt offer him the hefty wage package he demanded, if he had so much respect for Utd, why the hell is he about to join our cross town rivals.

You mancs can't just come on our forum and start talking sense, it puts us in a bad light

by **Igor Zidane** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:47 am

Love to know what the die hard mancs think of owen signing ?

by **Number 9** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:53 am

Igor Zidane wrote:Love to know what the die hard mancs think of owen signing ?

I bet they are delighted..an ex scouse injury prone fecker with a hamstring on a thread!
Must be made up!!

Look at it this way if WE signed him id be ragging and he was our player..
Its like Raffa signing a Neville..well nearly!! :laugh:

by **Madmax** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 1:53 am

Ah feck the lil git anyway...He lacked passion and only played for money. Some player love their teams. They will shed blood, sweat tears and die for their side. Unlike Mr lil git. Steven gerrard is a prime example of a true red. Lets face it he has not won much trophies with us and is soo desperate to win the league. Had a chance to join chelsea but chose to stay with us. Thats what i call passion and a true legend. I pray and hope we win the premiership and before gerrard retires he will have his well deserved medals......

by **Reg** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 2:41 am

Migueldadon wrote:
Reg wrote:Tevez wont join LFC out of respect for Mn Ure fans, shame Owen does have an ounce of honour left in his passionless eyes.

Former reds players hold their heads high as they walk into Anfield after retirement, Owen? He's like that ugly moose you shagged the night before walking back into the pub the next night looking for more.

HORSESHIT, he didnt join the scouse becuase you lot couldnt offer him the hefty wage package he demanded, if he had so much respect for Utd, why the hell is he about to join our cross town rivals.

What are yer talking about Blodwyn? We didnt want Owen and you picked him up off the floor becuase YOU didnt have the guts to resign Van Horseface you inbred Manc turd burglar.

by **Dundalk** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 2:49 am

Reg wrote:
Migueldadon wrote:
Reg wrote:Tevez wont join LFC out of respect for Mn Ure fans, shame Owen does have an ounce of honour left in his passionless eyes.

Former reds players hold their heads high as they walk into Anfield after retirement, Owen? He's like that ugly moose you shagged the night before walking back into the pub the next night looking for more.

HORSESHIT, he didnt join the scouse becuase you lot couldnt offer him the hefty wage package he demanded, if he had so much respect for Utd, why the hell is he about to join our cross town rivals.

What are yer talking about Blodwyn? We didnt want Owen and you picked him up off the floor becuase YOU didnt have the guts to resign Van Horseface you inbred Manc turd burglar.

Dont sit on the fence now reg :laugh:

by **Dundalk** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 2:52 am

Rafa doesnt usually let sentiment and personal feelings get in the way of football decisions. If he though Owen was a good signing he would have signed him.

He didnt.

And just cause they signed him doesnt suddenly change what we know about Owen. He's past his best and injury prone.

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