Owen: why I could never rejoin Liverpool

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Michael Owen admits he tried to re-sign for Liverpool every time he left a different club.

The former Red was recently criticised by fans for claiming he was desperate for Karim Benzema to join Real Madrid in 2009, as it would subsequently pave the way for him to move to Manchester United.

As it happens, that’s exactly how the deal panned out as Owen joined Liverpool’s fierce rivals following four years at Newcastle United.

Owen’s comments didn’t sit well with supporters, with many questioning whether he was deserving of his role as a Liverpool club ambassador.

In response, the ex-England striker has explained how he remained keen on returning to Anfield throughout his entire playing career and that he came incredibly close to doing so as he prepared to leave Real Madrid in 2005.

“When I was leaving Real Madrid, I met Rafa in Liverpool in one of the player’s houses to keep it all under wraps,” Owen told FourFourTwo.

“We had a great meeting, we sorted everything out from my point of view, then my agent sorted everything out with Rick Parry in the room next door.”

“”Everything was sorted for me to go back there, but unfortunately the clubs couldn’t agree a fee. Newcastle then put in a bid which far outweighed Liverpool’s and basically Real Madrid made an ultimatum saying unless Liverpool matched Newcastle’s bid, you’re not going there.”

Michael Owen

“I spoke to Rafa Benitez but they had Fernando Torres there – every time I seemed to leave a club, Liverpool were very well off for strikers at the time. Even after that I spoke to Brendan Rodgers, but they had Luis Suarez there.”

“I tried to rejoin Liverpool at every opportunity whenever I left a club but that wasn’t to be, so at that point you’ve got to further your career and do what’s best for you.”

Owen was a popular figure during his time on Merseyside, putting together a prolific record of 158 goals in 297 appearances for the club.

His career beyond Liverpool proved tricky, with Owen enduring a tough season with Real Madrid in Spain and suffering a series of crushing injury setbacks.

Reds have since been divided by their opinions of the now BT Pundit, with some having forgiven his career choices whilst others have continued to resent his questionable transfers.

 

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