Former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has discussed his reasoning for leading a sensational swoop to bring Robbie Fowler back to Anfield in January 2006.
Fowler, who sits sixth in the Reds' all-time goal-scoring charts, with such exploits earning him the nickname of 'God' at Anfield, made an emotional return to L4 after initially leaving the club in 2001.
Having advanced through the club's youth ranks to become a first-team player, Fowler scored 183 goals in 369 appearances as he recorded FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup triumphs across two stints with the Reds.
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But following the blossoming partnership of Emile Heskey and Michael Owen in the 2000/2001 season, Fowler found himself increasingly out of favour under manager Gerrard Houllier and later joined Leeds United in late 2001, who he helped fire to UEFA Cup qualification with a handful of Premier League goals.
But after moving to Manchester City in 2003, where he struggled to match his efforts during his time at his boyhood club, the forward was brought back to Anfield in January 2006 after falling out of favour under Citizens boss Stuart Pearce.
Speaking to the We Are Liverpool podcast, Benitez explained the surprise decision to re-sign the Toxteth-born marksman who had struggled for both form and injuries during his stint at Maine Road.
"I think for anyone you had been a player, you are a legend here and the fans love you, then to come back home was a special moment," said Benitez. "I was really pleased to do that because everybody was telling me many nice things about you. You were asking me if I could play you even more!
"But I will say, my feeling when you came here, you were a fantastic finisher so I could see the movement, game intelligence, these type of things You were not fully fit but you were very good. But the main thing for me is that it was very good to coach you too.
"We were doing a specific plan for you because you had so many injuries this year and then we have to be very careful. In terms of football, I think you were bringing the passion, something that was missing, you were bringing that and also the quality that you had and the game intelligence."
He added: "To have someone with your quality on the pitch and during training sessions, sometimes the young players are training with good players they are just training with good players. Your movement, game intelligence, your finishing was so good anyone could learn from you."
Despite only spending 18 months back at Anfield, a second stint would allow Fowler the opportunity to properly say goodbye to Reds supporters in a way he had been unable to when his unexpected exit had occurred the first time around.
The former England international would make his last Liverpool appearance during the 2-2 draw with Charlton Athletic in May 2007 and received a standing ovation in the final minutes of the match as he was substituted.
"Obviously I was at Manchester City, I fell out with the manager believe it or not and I got this phone call asking if I would be interested in going back to Liverpool," said Fowler, recalling the moment he first heard of Benitez's interest. "I did think it was a bit of a wind-up in all honesty because I've gone from not playing for Man City, to a chance of playing for Liverpool. It was the proudest moment.
"I remember signing this contract in Rick Parry's office in the Kop, it's like being a kid on Christmas morning. I was over the moon."
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