November 29
Don't cry for Red Robbie
By Ken Rogers/icLiverpool
I find no controversy whatsoever in the sale of Robbie Fowler to Leeds United.
I don't fear for Liverpool Football Club. I don't believe the ground will somehow open up and swallow Gerard Houllier and Phil Thompson for parting with a Kop super hero.
I know instinctively that Red Robbie will get a standing ovation when he ultimately returns to Anfield in a white shirt. That will be fully deserved. But I also know that the Liverpool fans, coached to always look forward and never dwell on the past, will not go any further to raise the confidence and morale of a Leeds United player.
Their focus will be on the men in Red. And in many respects Fowler's departure is the definitive vote of confidence in one of the most potent strikers in the world game right now - the magnificent Michael Owen.
I'm not saying forget the man Liverpudlians dubbed "God" - in a football sense, of course. But I am saying trust in the brilliance of Saint Michael. For me, there is no comparison at present and this has been the case for some considerable time.
Some critics claim Robbie will come back to haunt Liverpool. But based on recent form, he will need to raise his game considerably to leave Michael in the shade in the weeks and months ahead, be it on a club or international stage.
I find it something of a contradiction that Fowler believes he can kickstart his England career at Elland Road where he is going to have almost much competition up front as he has had at Anfield. Mark Viduka, Robbie Keane and Alan Smith are not going to step aside without a fight.
I'm sure Robbie has had some encouraging words from the persuasive David O'Leary, but he will need to take a leap forward from his recent inconsistencies to grab the hearts and minds of the Elland Road faithful in the way that he mesmerised everyone at Anfield at the peak of his career.
At the moment Fowler is the one with something to prove, not those who he has left behind.
Owen is undoubtedly football's man of the moment and the support act of the powerful Emile Heskey, the skilful Jari Litmanen and that emerging young talent Milan Baros suggests to me that nothing has happened that will unduly undermine Liverpool's immediate goal to secure the game's top honours.
Indeed, it is clear that the Reds will strengthen their attacking options still further in the near future.
I don't look on the Fowler transfer as a negative. I look on it as yet another step along the way towards Liverpool's re-emergence as English football's most potent force.
Any critics with lingering doubts or anyone who is not prepared to embrace the Houllier dream, built on the solid foundations of last season and the continued progress this time out, are playing right into the hands of ambitious rival managers like O'Leary.
Fowler has earned his place in the Anfield Hall of Fame, of that there is no doubt. He has scored countless great goals and inspired many famous victories. But let's be clear.
He is the one who encouraged Leeds although it is true that
Liverpool were somewhat relieved to receive a substantial fee for a player who could ultimately have mirror-imaged Steve McManaman's controversial departure.
I read a letter in the ECHO last night in which a fan claimed the Reds should have demanded double the £12m plus fee Leeds are paying. This is ridiculous.
The length left on Fowler's contract and the reality that he could have walked away free in 18 months, the player's recent mixed form and the fact that Liverpool appear to have already had the best out of a fine striking talent makes the fee totally realistic.
The simple fact that there was no intervention this week by the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea or any of the Continent's leading clubs meant that there was no extra bargaining position.
I think Liverpool did exceptionally well under the circumstances. Robbie made it clear that he wanted to further his career elsewhere.
Gerard Houllier wants a squad full of players who are totally focused on his Red dream. Once again, he has demonstrated that he is not afraid to make a difficult decision, supported every inch of the way by Phil Thompson, the rest of the coaching staff and the board.
I would like to think that I can add to this list every Liverpudlian who has ever passed under the Shankly Gates. They will all wish Robbie Fowler well.
But the biggest roar will be for Gerard Houllier's on-going ambitions which are alive and well and looking down on the rest from the summit of the Premier League.
November 29
Dalglish: Fowler sale could backfire
By PA Sport Staff
Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish has claimed he was saddened by Robbie Fowler's £11million departure from Anfield but he urged fans not to blame the club for the loss of one of their heroes.
Dalglish, who formed one half of a formidable strike partnership with Liverpool's greatest goalscorer Ian Rush, admitted he was not surprised by Fowler's decision to leave but he was "shocked" by the club allowing the striker to move to one of their biggest rivals.
"The departure of Fowler saddens me but does not surprise me. What did come as a shock was that the club should agree terms with Leeds, one of their chief rivals for the championship," he told the Daily Mail.
"It seems to me like handing the opposition an advantage and I only hope that fate does not deal Liverpool a cruel hand over the next few weeks in the shape of an injury to one of their remaining strikers.
"Leeds know what they have got - a very good striker. They have bought class and this purchase will add considerably to their title credentials this year."
Although Dalglish is worried that Liverpool have handed Leeds an advantage in the title race, he said no fault should be laid at the Shankly Gates as the move was right for the player.
"It would be wrong to blame the club or manager Gerard Houllier for releasing him," he added.
"Robbie had trouble coming to terms with the squad system Gerard operates at Anfield. It was obvious he didn't like playing second fiddle to Michael Owen.
"He owes Liverpool a huge debt of gratitude for bringing him into professional football but the club couldn't give him what he wants - a place in the side."
Dalglish's strike partner Rush said Fowler - the man who took over his goalscoring mantle at Anfield - would want to prove a point and that the transfer could backfire on Houllier.
"Robbie is simply a great goalscorer. It was his decision to go because he needed first-team football," Rush told The Mirror.
"Now he will be full of confidence and champing at the bit to play games."
Rush, who coincidentally also moved to Leeds after his second spell at Anfield ended when he was forced out by a young Fowler, revealed he had spoken to his successor about his decision to leave.
"I told him that he would enjoy himself at Elland Road. He is more mature and he has settled down a great deal. I don't think there will be any repeats of the problems he used to have," Rush added.
And Fowler's long-time friend Steve McManaman, now at Real Madrid, said he believed it was great move for his former Liverpool team-mate.
"It surprises me but some people question him no matter what he has achieved in his career," said McManaman.
"I'm not criticising Liverpool, because they know the best way to play to achieve the success they have had, but I think Robbie could thrive at Leeds.
"Liverpool have got decent money for him and Robbie thought the decision to go was the right one, so there's no criticism of either side," he told The Mirror.
November 29
Macari backs Houllier's gamble
By David Anderson/PA Sport
People with heart conditions are not supposed to take risks, but that is just what Gerard Houllier is doing by selling Robbie Fowler to Leeds.
Bad enough feel Liverpool fans that he should part with the striker they call 'God', but to let him go to title rivals Leeds is a huge gamble in their eyes.
What if Fowler goes on to score a netful of goals for Leeds, which helps them deny Liverpool the championship?
Such moves have backfired on the selling club in the past and Leeds supporters do not need reminding what happened when Howard Wilkinson sold Eric Cantona to Manchester United in 1992. Andy Cole also went on to win a sackload of trophies at United after being controversially sold by the then Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan in 1995.
Liverpool fans are praying selling Fowler does not fall into the same category.
Certainly Lou Macari does not think so and the Huddersfield and former Celtic and West Ham manager is confident Houllier knows exactly what he is doing.
Macari claims the fans must have faith in Houllier and that he will have very good reasons for parting with the Kop idol.
"What you have to understand is that the people at Liverpool who have made this decision have been working week in, week out with Robbie Fowler for the last three or four years," he said.
"There's much more to this situation than just what fans see in 90 minutes on the pitch.
"The public are least informed about the manager's different reasons.
"I don't think for one minute that Gerard Houllier or Phil Thompson think he's not a good player.
"That's not in dispute but they know more about the overall situation than we do.
"If there was going to be any negative affect by selling him to Leeds then I'm quite sure they would not have sold him."
Macari claims Liverpool fans should not worry because Houllier has been proved right with his other big decisions, such as selling Paul Ince, buying Emile Heskey or replacing Sander Westerveld with Jerzy Dudek.
"As a manager you have got to make decisions - your team selection, who you buy and who you sell - and not every one of them is going to meet with approval," he said.
"That's Gerard's job and he has made those decisions exceptionally well so far.
"I'm confident he has his reasons for selling Robbie Fowler and he will not have done it unless he was 100% certain.
"Any Liverpool supporter should be safe in the knowledge that Gerard will have thought long and hard about this decision.
"They haven't decided this overnight, and that it is in the best interests of everyone - the club, the supporters and Robbie Fowler."
November 29
Squad stunned by
Fowler exit
By Andy Hunter/Daily Post
Jamie Redknapp admitted the Liverpool squad has been left stunned by Robbie Fowler's sudden departure from Anfield and surprised by the decision to sell the England striker to one of their closest title rivals.
The Reds' club captain is now the only player from the Graeme Souness era left at Liverpool after the £11million transfer of his close friend Fowler to Leeds United.
And Redknapp revealed how an emotional Fowler broke the news of his swift Anfield exit to him before saying his farewells to the rest of the Liverpool staff at Melwood yesterday morning.
"Robbie called me on Tuesday and told me a fee had been agreed between the two clubs and that he would be going. He was a bit upset when I spoke to him and I know for a fact that it's breaking his heart to leave but he feels he needs firstteam football and that's understandable.
"It took me by surprise but I guess this is something that Robbie feels he has to do. I wish him all the best.
"We all know the man is an absolute genius and he will be sorely missed by the players because he was very popular. But that's the way it goes and you have to remember that football is a business.
"All the talk among the lads at training today was about Robbie, as you would expect. The boys were stunned, but the mood in the camp is fine."
He added: "Perhaps one of the big shocks is that he's joined one of our main rivals but that was Liverpool's decision and, as players, we just have to accept it and get on with things.
"We all understand the way the game works and if a player doesn't want to sign a contract or wants to move on, he can. But it will be really strange to see him turn up at Anfield wearing a Leeds shirt.
"The fans love him and I know he loves the fans but in the end it came down to a purely footballing decision, and he obviously decided it would be better to move on. But I'm sure when he does come back the fans will give him a great reception. The supporters here are very knowledgeable and they all appreciate how much he has done for the club."
Redknapp and Fowler were two of the young stars that helped Liverpool lift the 1995 Coca Cola Cup before injuries blighted both their Anfield careers.
But despite his surprise at the striker's switch to Elland Road, Redknapp fully understands the club's decision which he believes will suit both sides.
Redknapp added: "Perhaps some of the fans thought he would stay at Liverpool for life but I can understand Robbie's decision. He wants to be playing regularly and sitting on the bench isn't good enough for him.
"I'm sure there are a lot of players out there who would happily pick up their wages every week without getting a spot of first-team football but Robbie's not like that. He loves football and loves scoring goals - you can't knock him for that.
"From the club's point of view they couldn't let another Steve McManaman situation happen. Macca left on a free transfer and I guess Liverpool were worried the same thing might happen with Robbie. I can understand the club's position and I can also understand Robbie's. In the end, I think it was a move that suited both parties."
And he added: " It'll be strange not having him around because he was like the heart and soul of the dressing room. He's a good lad and one of my closest mates in the game. Sometimes he's a bit of a rascal but I think that's what makes you love him even more.
"We spend quite a bit of time together away from football so it'll be weird with him not being here. We often go out for meals with our wives and pop over to each other's houses and I know we'll stay close friends despite not being teammates anymore."
November 29
We didn't force Fowler out of Anfield
By Andy Hunter/Daily Post
Liverpool have denied Robbie Fowler was forced out of Anfield as the striker sealed his shock Reds exit last night by agreeing personal terms with Leeds United.
The former Kop hero will complete his £11million move to Elland Road today when he signs a lucrative five-year contract with Liverpool's Premiership rivals.
And with Reds fans still coming to terms with the player's departure to David O'Leary's title chasers, Liverpool insist they had to cash in rather than lose Fowler on a Bosman transfer as the player made the decision to go.
Fowler, who has to pass the second part of a stringent medical before completing his move this afternoon, had 18 months left on his Reds contract and was frustrated at the lack of progress over a new deal plus his limited first-team chances.
And caretaker boss Phil Thompson said last night: "If you read the papers and Robbie's statement I think everybody can see it has been Robbie's decision. It has been totally Robbie's decision.
"He feels that a move at this time is best as far as he is concerned.
"We are extremely sad about it but we are not daft that we cannot understand the reasons why he feels he wants regular football.
"We didn't have the final say. Robbie has made his decision. I think Robbie wanted pastures new and it would have been difficult to stand in his way.
"He feels that it can kick-start his career. I'm not going to knock that and say he could have done the same here."
Thompson believes fans' confidence in the Anfield leadership will be undiminished by Fowler's sale, but accepts there will be intense disappointment at the end of the England star's 15-year Liverpool association.
He admitted: "It's sad because we know he's got a lot of support here. People will be disappointed but there have been people down the years at Liverpool who have moved on but the club goes on.
"I hope the fans, in the cold light of day, will look at it and have belief in the club. The club is the most important thing and we believe it is going in the right direction. When you look at how the club has developed over the last three years under Gerard's leadership I don't think anybody can complain. All I will say to the fans is you know this club is in great hands.
"What Gerard has achieved in three years here is monumental. Robbie has been part of that but in fairness it seems he wants a bit more. I don't think, in fairness, everybody has ever been happy with the rotation system. Robbie probably felt it more than anyone.
"You can see in Robbie's statement it is his decision and he wants to move. People have been trying to say he's been forced out but it is Robbie's decision."
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