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In the new EuroFootball.com section "Tribune" we offer portal visitors to express their opinion - write articles, analyzes, speculations, etc. This time we present an article sent by a fan of the "Liverpool" club about the return of the fans' favorite Robbie Fowler.
Robbie Fowler Nickname: "God" Born on 1975-04-09 in Toxteth, a suburb of Liverpool Position - striker Clubs: "Liverpool", "Leeds United", "Manchester City" and again "Liverpool". Titles and achievements: European Junior (U-18) champion (1993), League Cup (1995, 2001), FA Cup (2001), UEFA Cup (2001), FA Community Shield (2001), UEFA Super Cup (2001) winner. Fifth in the list of most productive "Liverpool" players of all time.
This is how it all began. The first steps of the future "Reds" striker in football were not much different. He was noticed by "Liverpool" scouts at children's football tournaments, and in 1986 he was accepted into the U-14 team. In 1993, Robbie signed his first professional contract.
1993/94 season. Being a European Junior (U-18) champion, a leader and top scorer of his national team, Fowler was placed in the main "Liverpool" lineup for the League Cup match against "Fulham". His debut was successful, the young man scored his first goal at the highest level, and his club won 3-1. In the next two matches, he failed to score, but in the return match at "Anfield" against "Fulham", "Liverpool" won 5-0, and all goals were scored by the 18-year-old youngster! This season Robbie scored a total of 18 goals.
1994/95 season. R.Evans took over at the helm of the "Liverpool" team. The new coach was immediately impressed with the young star, giving him a permanent place in the starting lineup. Robbie repaid the trust, scoring five goals in his first five "Premier" league matches. Not only that, in the first home match against "Arsenal" he scored a "hat-trick" in a record short time - 4 min, 32 sec! This wonderful season ended with our hero having 31 goals to his name. The club's fans call him "God" and pray to him, and the English press compares the young talent to I.Rush, G.Best...
1995/96 season. "Liverpool" acquired S.Collymore from "Nottingham Forest", and "God" sat on the bench. It was a psychological move by the coach. R.Evans understood that the future of "Liverpool" was Fowler - the legendary I.Rush is not eternal - and the coach managed to upset Robbie. Fowler, when he was allowed to play, tore through the opponent's defense and scored goals. He scored a lot, from the heart, regardless of the opponents' titles and achievements. A "Poker" against "Bolton", a "hat-trick" against "Arsenal", four goals in two matches against the mighty "Manchester Utd.". However, in the most important matches of the season, the FA Cup final against the same "United", Fowler failed to score. "Liverpool" lost 0-1. Robbie scored a total of 36 goals (28 in the league), and "Liverpool" finished third in the Premier league. In those years, A.Shearer was devilishly good, so Fowler did not receive the title of top scorer.
1996/97 season. It started with a injury (back problems) and conflicts (with strike partner S.Collymore and coach R.Evans). Until mid-October, Fowler only overcame opponents' goalkeepers twice. However, he ended the season with 31 goals to his name. On December 14, 1996, the overcrowded "Anfield" stadium witnessed another triumph of his favorite. Defeating "Middlesbrough" 5-1, Robbie scored a hat-trick and, at only 21 years old, scored his 100th goal for the "Reds". In this season, Fowler managed to earn a fine from UEFA and FIFA within a few days. After scoring two goals against Norwegian team "Brann", he celebrated by showing support for protesting Liverpool dockworkers. UEFA saw it as politics and fined him. A few days later, "Liverpool" played against "Arsenal" at home. With the score 1-2 in favor of the visitors, Fowler fought for the ball in the "Gunners'" penalty area. The referee awarded a penalty. "God" tried to convince the opponent in every possible way that there was no foul! However, the referee was not convinced. Robbie stepped up to take the penalty, and....hit it straight to D.Seaman. "Liverpool" could not equalize in that match...
1997/98 season. It started badly, Fowler refused to attend the England national team camp after a nose operation, causing dissatisfaction from coach G.Hoddle. And this was just the beginning. Before the season matches, Robbie suffered another injury. And when he returned, he found M.Owen shining brightly at "Anfield". All attention was focused on the young prodigy, and Fowler's achievements were forgotten at that moment. To be honest, Robbie himself exhibited unstable play. "Hat-tricks" and doubles were separated by "dry" streaks that sometimes lasted up to 7 matches. What was memorable for Fowler in this season? Of course, the widely publicized conflict with G.Le Saux. In the match between "Chelsea" and "Liverpool", Fowler received a yellow card for rough play against Le Saux. Robbie then moved slightly to the side, turned his back to the "Blues" defender, and mischievously smiled while showing his backside. Le Saux was not amused, and the crowd, who had heard rumors about Le Saux's non-traditional sexual orientation, enjoyed it. The referee, seemingly unaware, showed a yellow card to the Londoner,...for time wasting. After the match, a scandal erupted with explanations in the press, mutual accusations. Eventually, Fowler and Le Saux were forced to reconcile.
1999/2000 season. It can be said that this season was erased for our hero due to constant minor injuries. And when he recovered, coach G.Houllier put him on the bench, which Fowler did not like, obviously... The coach no longer believed that Robbie's injuries would someday end, and a threatening black E.Heskey from "Leicester" appeared in the "Liverpool" club...
2000/2001 season. This season will be remembered for Fowler for a long time. 52 matches, 18 goals, won League Cup, FA Cup, UEFA Cup, place in the Champions League, English and European Super Cups. Fowler left his "divine" mark on all these trophies, but he can no longer be called the main blacksmith of these victories. However, "Liverpool" fans continue to worship Robbie Fowler. Despite the unsuccessful recent seasons, they sincerely consider him the best striker in the team!
2001/2002 season. And another conflict. This time at the club's training ground, he sent Ph.Thompson, the chief assistant coach, in all four directions. G.Houllier began to ignore Fowler, even though the latter apologized. This conflict was tried to be hidden, but the press was already flashing with various reports about Robbie leaving the club. On November 29, 2001, Robbie Fowler was no longer considered a legendary "Liverpool" player, the club's symbol, a role he had held for the past eight years. The "Anfield" favorite was sold to "Leeds" club as quickly as possible, for £11 million! But that's a separate story. Robbie Fowler left the club without saying goodbye to the fans. Probably both he and they left room on their dream list for this dream - Robbie Fowler's return home!
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