PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Michael Owen

Michael Owen : (Striker, 1997-2004)
Date of Birth: 14/12/1979
Birthplace: Chester
Debut : v Wimbledon, 1997
1st team games: 297
1st team goals: 158
Other clubs: Real Madrid, Newcastle United.
International caps while with Liverpool: 60
International goals while with Liverpool: 26



PROFILE

Michael Owen scored on his debut for the Reds at Wimbledon in 1997 and didn't look back.

Since 1998 Owen was Liverpool's top scorer every season until he joined Real Madrid in August 2004.

The star of Liverpool's 1996 FA Youth Cup triumph, Michael has been with the club since a schoolboy and scored prolifically as he rose rapidly through the Anfield ranks.

During the summer of 1998 he achieved worldwide fame following his stunning strike in the World Cup second round clash between England against Argentina. Off the pitch he collected the PFA Young Player of the Year for season 1997-98 and in 1998 was also voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

It was in the treble season that Owen continued and enhanced his reputation in the treble season. He hit two goals against AS Roma in the UEFA Cup and followed that up with two magnificent late goals to win the FA Cup Final for Liverpool in Cardiff against Arsenal - a match which has since been called 'The Michael Owen Cup Final'. That just confirmed his standing as one of the most exciting strikers in Europe.

He followed that up by scoring a sensational hat-trick in England's 5-1 win over Germany, becoming the first England player since Sir Geoff Hurst in 1966 to score a hat-trick against Germany.

Michael was named European Footballer of the Year in December 2001 when he received the prestigious ballon D'or and scored his 100th Liverpool goal against West Ham at Upton Park on 29th December 2001.

In the 2002/03 season Owen scored 28 goals for Liverpool including his 100th in the Premiership with a hat-trick at West Bromwich Albion. Owen also scored at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff again when Liverpool beat Manchester United 2-0 to win the Worthington Cup.

In an injury hit 2003/04 campaign he still managed to net 19 goals and also surpass the England scoring record of Anfield legend Roger Hunt.

But with just one year remaining on his contract Owen's long-term future was the subject of much debate during the summer of 2004 and, despite the arrival of new boss Rafael Benitez, he opted for a high profile move to Real Madrid on the eve of the new season.

Owen returned to England a year later opting to join Newcastle United for £16 million. It was no secret that Liverpool tried to bring him back home but once Madrid accepted the huge fee from the Geordies the Reds were priced out of the deal.

PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Danny Murphy

Danny Murphy (Midfielder, 1997-2004)

Born: Chester
Date of birth: 18-3-1977
Other Clubs : Charlton Athletic, Tottenham Hotspur.
1st team games: 249
1st team goals: 44
England caps with Liverpool: 9
International goals: 1


PROFILE

Danny Murphy ended a seven year association with Liverpool when he signed for Premiership side Charlton Athletic for 2.5 million in August 2004.

Boyhood Red Murphy scored some vital goals for Liverpool including three winning goals at Old Trafford against Manchester United and a superb derby winner against Everton. During the 2002/03 season Murphy was named the supporters player of the year and scored 12 goals from midfield.

Signed from Crewe Alexandra by Roy Evans for 2 million in 1997, after impressing alongside Michael Owen for England in the World Youth Championships, he arrived with a reputation as one of the most promising youngsters in the game.

However, with competition for first team places at Liverpool so tough he struggled to establish himself as nothing other than a fringe player and was loaned back to Gresty Road at the tail end of the 1998/99 season.
His Liverpool days were seemingly numbered but on his return the following season he finally made the break though into the first team, scored his first goals for the club and staked a claim for a regular place in Gerard Houllier's starting line-up.

A cruel injury blow forced him to miss out on the Worthington Cup final success against Birmingham in 2001 but he started in the memorable cup final triumph's over Arsenal and Alaves and was an integral part of Houllier's squad.

Murphy left Charlton to join Tottenham Hotspur in 2006.