Legend? The mixed legacy Michael Owen left at Liverpool

A claim that raised eyebrows

A claim that raised eyebrows, Owen sees no doubt, Hated to go back, “I could’ve signed for Everton!”, "I hated going back", Should he be considered a legend?, Rapid rise, Golden Boot, Retaining his Golden Boot, Recurring injuries, Ballon d'Or, Challenging for the league

Michael Owen has reignited debate among football fans by declaring himself a Liverpool legend, despite ending his playing days at Manchester United, one of the Reds' fiercest rivals.

Owen sees no doubt

A claim that raised eyebrows, Owen sees no doubt, Hated to go back, “I could’ve signed for Everton!”, "I hated going back", Should he be considered a legend?, Rapid rise, Golden Boot, Retaining his Golden Boot, Recurring injuries, Ballon d'Or, Challenging for the league

Asked about how he views his legacy, Owen was unwavering. "In my eyes? Yes," he told BBC Sport, showing full belief in his contribution to the Merseyside club.

Hated to go back

A claim that raised eyebrows, Owen sees no doubt, Hated to go back, “I could’ve signed for Everton!”, "I hated going back", Should he be considered a legend?, Rapid rise, Golden Boot, Retaining his Golden Boot, Recurring injuries, Ballon d'Or, Challenging for the league

At Manchester United, Owen won his one and only Premier League title in 2011 and secured the League Cup. Despite his success at Old Trafford, Owen admitted he hated returning to Anfield.

“I could’ve signed for Everton!”

A claim that raised eyebrows, Owen sees no doubt, Hated to go back, “I could’ve signed for Everton!”, "I hated going back", Should he be considered a legend?, Rapid rise, Golden Boot, Retaining his Golden Boot, Recurring injuries, Ballon d'Or, Challenging for the league

According to the Mirror, Owen said, "I didn't like it [facing Liverpool]. Don't get me wrong, I signed for Manchester United and loved my time there. I could've signed for Everton! I would've been hated no matter what I did."

"I hated going back"

A claim that raised eyebrows, Owen sees no doubt, Hated to go back, “I could’ve signed for Everton!”, "I hated going back", Should he be considered a legend?, Rapid rise, Golden Boot, Retaining his Golden Boot, Recurring injuries, Ballon d'Or, Challenging for the league

"Forget it was Manchester United; I hated going back [to Anfield] with Newcastle as well. I just didn't like playing for any other team against Liverpool."

Should he be considered a legend?

A claim that raised eyebrows, Owen sees no doubt, Hated to go back, “I could’ve signed for Everton!”, "I hated going back", Should he be considered a legend?, Rapid rise, Golden Boot, Retaining his Golden Boot, Recurring injuries, Ballon d'Or, Challenging for the league

Owen's move to Manchester United was seen as unforgivable to Liverpool fans at the time. Despite that, if you look at what he did for Liverpool, should he be considered a legend?

Rapid rise

A claim that raised eyebrows, Owen sees no doubt, Hated to go back, “I could’ve signed for Everton!”, "I hated going back", Should he be considered a legend?, Rapid rise, Golden Boot, Retaining his Golden Boot, Recurring injuries, Ballon d'Or, Challenging for the league

The former England man joined Liverpool at the age of 12 and rose rapidly through the ranks in the late 1990s. Debuting in May 1997 and topping it off with a goal, he became the club's youngest goalscorer (17 years, 143 days), displaying blistering pace and composure for someone so young.

Golden Boot

A claim that raised eyebrows, Owen sees no doubt, Hated to go back, “I could’ve signed for Everton!”, "I hated going back", Should he be considered a legend?, Rapid rise, Golden Boot, Retaining his Golden Boot, Recurring injuries, Ballon d'Or, Challenging for the league

Before the 1997-98 season, Owen replaced an injured Robbie Fowler as Liverpool's starting forward, and they didn't look back. In his first full season, he won the Premier League Golden Boot (18 goals) and the PFA Young Player of the Year award.

Retaining his Golden Boot

A claim that raised eyebrows, Owen sees no doubt, Hated to go back, “I could’ve signed for Everton!”, "I hated going back", Should he be considered a legend?, Rapid rise, Golden Boot, Retaining his Golden Boot, Recurring injuries, Ballon d'Or, Challenging for the league

In his second season with Liverpool, Owen retained his Golden Boot award, scoring 18 goals again in the league and becoming Liverpool's main offensive threat, with the focus being on through balls and balls over the top for the Englishman to run onto.

Recurring injuries

A claim that raised eyebrows, Owen sees no doubt, Hated to go back, “I could’ve signed for Everton!”, "I hated going back", Should he be considered a legend?, Rapid rise, Golden Boot, Retaining his Golden Boot, Recurring injuries, Ballon d'Or, Challenging for the league

However, according to ESPN, Liverpool's style of play was ruining Owen's hamstring. It led him to get persistently injured at the close of the century. He missed five months of the 1999-2000 season and lost his Golden Boot to Kevin Phillips.

2000/01

A claim that raised eyebrows, Owen sees no doubt, Hated to go back, “I could’ve signed for Everton!”, "I hated going back", Should he be considered a legend?, Rapid rise, Golden Boot, Retaining his Golden Boot, Recurring injuries, Ballon d'Or, Challenging for the league

Owen returned to full fitness for the 2000/01 season and helped Liverpool win the League Cup, the FA Cup, in which he scored two goals in the final, and the UEFA Cup. According to Transfermarkt, he scored 16 goals in the Premier League, three in the FA Cup, one in the League Cup, and four in Europe.

Ballon d'Or

A claim that raised eyebrows, Owen sees no doubt, Hated to go back, “I could’ve signed for Everton!”, "I hated going back", Should he be considered a legend?, Rapid rise, Golden Boot, Retaining his Golden Boot, Recurring injuries, Ballon d'Or, Challenging for the league

Owen won the Ballon d'Or in 2001 for his exploits during that season. He became the first Englishman to win the award since Kevin Keegan in 1979 and the last English player to win it.

Challenging for the league

A claim that raised eyebrows, Owen sees no doubt, Hated to go back, “I could’ve signed for Everton!”, "I hated going back", Should he be considered a legend?, Rapid rise, Golden Boot, Retaining his Golden Boot, Recurring injuries, Ballon d'Or, Challenging for the league

The following season, Owen helped Liverpool challenge for the league after scoring 19 goals in 29 league games, but they finished second to Arsenal. In his remaining two Premier League seasons, Owen scored 19 goals in 35 games and 16 in 29. He moved to Real Madrid in 2004.

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