Despite scoring 158 goals for Liverpool, helping fire the Reds to an historic cup treble, and even winning the Ballon d’Or for his individual efforts, Michael Owen is not a popular figure amongst Kopites.
He used to be, of course, when leading the line for Gerard Houllier’s side and wearing the famous red shirt. Even after he left for Real Madrid in the summer of 2004, Liverpool fans famously chanted, ‘There’s only one Michael Owen!’ during their 2005 European Super Cup victory over CSKA Moscow amid rumours the Reds were in talks to re-sign the striker.
Alas, Liverpool were priced out of such a transfer as Newcastle United offered a then club-record £17m for the striker. Upon his first return to Anfield with the Magpies, rather than his name being chanted, Kopites instead sang, ‘Where were you in Istanbul?’ in reference to the club’s 2005 Champions League win a few months earlier.
