August 21
Fowler: I never wanted to leave Liverpool
Ananova
Robbie Fowler has talked about the bust-up with Phil Thompson which marred the start of Liverpool's season.
He said the argument with Liverpool's coach had been blown out of proportion and said he had never wanted to leave the club.
Fowler was dropped for two games until he apologised to Thompson. The striker is expected to play tonight.
The bust-up came after Thompson had a go at Fowler for blasting the ball into the net while the coach was kneeling behind the goal. Thompson suggested he had been at the club too long.
Thompson soon apologised for his part in the row, but until yesterday, Fowler was having none of it and was axed from the squad for the Charity Shield and West Ham games.
He said: "I was not taking the stance as part of any ego trip, or being some prima donna as some people suggested. I hope people recognise I took the stance I did because I felt strongly about the incident, and the principle involved... and that is a private matter between me and the club.
"I think the whole issue was blown out of proportion and should never have gone as far as it did.
"I love Liverpool and the fans and the thought of leaving has never crossed my mind."
Ex-Liverpool defender Phil Neal backed Gerard Houllier's handling of the situation. He told the BBC: "There are certain principles on the training field that Robbie did not adhere to and the manager went with his assistant and was probably right to do that."
Neal blamed frustration for Fowler's part in the fall out after spending much of last season on the bench.
August 20
Reds issue Fowler warning
By Chris Bascombe/Liverpool Echo
Liverpool today told Chelsea to forget about signing prodigal son Robbie Fowler.
Fowler has ended his feud with assistant manager Phil Thompson and is preparing to return for the Champions League qualifier against FC Haka tomorrow.
An apology yesterday morning ensured the striker was welcomed back to the squad.
And now manager Gerard Houllier hopes Fowler will sign a new deal at Anfield ending Chelsea's optimistic hopes of a swoop.
Chelsea's managing director Colin Hutchinson and manager Claudio Ranieri both publicly stated their desire to sign Fowler yesterday.
The Liverpool striker rejected a move to Stamford Bridge last season and there is little doubt the forward wants to stay at Anfield.
Houllier said today: "I'm not a parrot but maybe I need to repeat myself. Robbie Fowler is not on any transfer list. He is not for sale. I don't really care what other clubs are saying."
Houllier added: "As far as I am concerned the matter is closed. It is history. Robbie has apologised to Phil Thompson. He has done the right thing for himself and the club."
August 19
Fowler makes peace with Thompson
By Peter O`Rourke/Planet Football
Out-of-favour Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler has finally apologised to number two Phil Thompson over their training ground bust-up.
The England international made his peace with Thompson before training on Sunday and Reds boss Gerard Houllier has insisted that the unsavoury incident has now been closed.
Fowler, who has been left out of the squad for the last two games since the incident, is now back in the squad for Tuesday's second leg Champions League qualifier against Finnish side FC Haka at Anfield, as well as Friday's European Super Cup final against Bayern Munich in Monaco.
The 27-year-old hit-man was left out of the squad for last weekend's Charity Shield victory over Manchester United after a bust-up with Thompson, and again for the opening day 2-1 home win over West Ham despite Houllier trying to resolve the situation last Thursday.
The Frenchman made a plea for Fowler to make up with Thompson after the game against West Ham as it threatened to cause an unhappy atmosphere at the club and suggested that he "was acting as if he wants away."
Houllier insisted that Fowler would not be available for selection until he apologized and now he has finally come round and accepted Houllier's stance.
"Robbie spoke to Phil Thompson before training this morning and said he was sorry for what had happened," Houllier told the club's official website.
"Both of them regret the incident took place, and as far as I am concerned it is finished now.
"Robbie has obviously thought long and hard about the situation and has come to completely the right decision."
"Robbie has put the good of the club and the team first, and I am very pleased it has been resolved.
"Robbie knows exactly how I feel about him both as a player and as a person, and that hasn't changed. We have a very busy period coming up and it is good news for his team-mates and the club that he is back and involved in our preparation for these games."
August 19
Houllier warns Fowler
BBC
Robbie Fowler's Liverpool future has been plunged into further doubt with manager Gerard Houllier questioning the England player's commitment to the club.
Houllier will not pick Fowler until the striker apologises to assistant boss Phil Thompson for a training ground bust-up between the pair.
But Fowler is refusing to back down and so is Houllier with the row now escalating to new heights.
As the uncertainty continued, Chelsea have emerged as a possible suitor for the controversial striker.
After Liverpool's opening day win over West Ham, Houllier said: "He (Fowler) is acting as if he doesn't want Liverpool, as if he doesn't want the good of Liverpool.
"If he wants the good of Liverpool he has to shake hands and it's finished.
"If he doesn't do that I must ask what is he thinking about."
He continued: "He has got to act not as if he wants away and as if he likes the club.
"If he does that, then obviously there is no problem.
"But regarding my position, there is no change. If it is not resolved we will have to see, but don't expect me to soften."
Houllier left Fowler out of the Liverpool squad which beat Manchester United in the Charity Shield and West Ham.
The situation has alerted the club's Premiership rivals with Leeds, Chelsea, Newcastle and Middlesbrough being linked with making a move for the player.
Toon boss Bobby Robson played down suggestions he is leading the chase for Fowler.
But Chelsea managing director Colin Hutchinson says the London outfit are keeping a close eye on the situation.
Hutchinson told BBC Five Live: "We had a deal for Robbie Fowler in December.
"We agreed a deal with Rick Parry (chief executive) at Liverpool but we never got any further.
"At the moment he's a Liverpool player and Gerard is saying he wants to keep him there."
Houllier added: "We have opened our arms five times to ask him to get back, now it's down to him.
"If he says he cares about Liverpool, if he says he likes Liverpool - he's the vice captain - he must understand that he would have played against Manchester United and probably against West Ham.
"But regarding my position, it won't change. You can't expect me to soften now."
August 19
Robson: We don't need Fowler at Newcastle
Ananova
Newcastle boss Bobby Robson has played down claims that he is heading the chase for unsettled Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler.
Fowler's training ground bust-up with Reds number two Phil Thompson and absence from the squad has sparked a frenzy of activity among would-be purchasers.
Robson poured cold water on claims that he could be ready to splash out the £15million it would take to lure Fowler from his home-town club.
With skipper Alan Shearer, Kieron Dyer and £7million signing Carl Cort injured, United have major problems.
But Robson is confident that, as soon as his big guns are back alongside Laurent Robert, Craig Bellamy, Shola Amoebi and Lomana Lua Lua, he already has enough options up front.
Asked directly on BBC Radio 5 Live if he would be interested, Robson replied: "No I wouldn't because in Shearer, Cort, Bellamy, Shola and Lua Lua we have five strikers, and I'm happy in that department.
"That wouldn't be my priority and I'm not really happy to carry on a conversation about some other club's player.
"Robbie Fowler is an outstanding talent and there's hardly a club in the country who wouldn't have him.
"I think everybody would like Robbie Fowler, but he's a Liverpool player and I hope that situation resolves itself. I would think Liverpool want him desperately.
"He's got to get his act together and they've got in Robbie Fowlern certainly as good a striker as there is in Europe."
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