NewsLiverpool's Greatest - No.12: Robbie Fowler
Years: 1993-2001, 2006-2007
Appearances: 369
Goals: 183
Trophies: League Cup (1995, 2001), FA Cup (2001), UEFA Cup (2001), UEFA Super Cup (2001)
Robbie Fowler’s innate ability and Scouseness meant he was christened ‘God’ by Liverpool supporters over two spells.
The Toxteth-born striker is one of the most naturally gifted finishers to wear the Liver bird on their chest.
His emergence on the scene in the 1990s was much-hyped and breathtaking, scoring on his debut away at Fulham in the League Cup and putting five past the same opponents a few weeks later.
This was no flash in the pan – the precocious Fowler then smashed the 30-goal barrier in each of the three seasons that followed, reaching a high of 36.
During that spell he earned a first winner’s medal in 1995 with success in the League Cup and was chosen as PFA Young Player of the Year in both 1995 and 1996.
Nominally stronger on his left foot, he was perfectly adept with his right too, good in the air and a confident penalty taker.
Only three players – Gordon Hodgson, Ian Rush and Roger Hunt – have scored more hat-tricks for Liverpool than Fowler’s 10.
Arsenal were on the receiving end of a famous one of his at Anfield in August 1994, produced within the space of four minutes and 33 seconds – a Premier League record he held until Sadio Mane took it in 2015.
Vital contributions to the treble-winning campaign of 2000-01 saw Fowler display that ability to score every type of goal, smashing in from long range in the League Cup final against Birmingham City and waltzing past Alaves defenders before clinically converting in the UEFA Cup showpiece.
He also netted in the quarter-final and semi-final of the FA Cup as Gerard Houllier’s men took fans on an unforgettable journey.
“There was something genius about him,” said teammate Michael Owen. “He could score from any angle.
“I’m not sure I’ve ever seen with my own eyes a striker that hits the ball so correctly, so pure. He just had everything you’d want in a finisher.”
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Watch on YouTubeCircumstances led to a previously unthinkable move away from the club when he joined Leeds United midway through the following season – but his Liverpool story did not end there.
Indeed, Rafael Benitez made the extremely popular decision to bring Fowler back home from latest club Manchester City in January 2006.
“I didn’t even look at the contract I was signing,” Fowler recalled. “If they’d have asked whether I would’ve done it for nothing, I would have.”
He savoured every second of the unexpected opportunity to return, initially on a six-month deal that went on to last a season-and-a-half.
Chapter two for Fowler at Anfield included a respectable 12 goals and five assists in 39 games, and culminated in an emotional farewell in front of the Kop.
“I don’t call myself that!” he said of his nickname from supporters. “I was just maybe one of the lucky ones who got christened by the fans.
“When you think of all the legends and superstars who have played for Liverpool over the years, it’s such an honour.”
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