Owen departure puts heat on Liverpool

By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Michael Owen was touted as one of the prime movers in Liverpool's decision to appoint Rafael Benitez as successor to the sacked Gerard Houllier.

Owen to join Real

Liverpool's hierarchy admitted they consulted senior players about Houllier's replacement - and it is safe to say that Owen would have been at the front of the queue with Steven Gerrard.

Owen, so it was said, wanted Benitez in charge at Anfield after being impressed by the way he master-minded Valencia's Champions League demolition of Liverpool.

So, it is with a sense of truly dramatic irony that Owen is the biggest casualty of the winds of change being blown through Anfield by Benitez.

As everyone watched and waited for Patrick Vieira to be paraded at the Bernabeu, Owen - as he has done so often in a Liverpool career spanning 297 games and 158 goals - stole in unnoticed to claim the prize.

In a summer of speculation centring on Vieira and Everton's Wayne Rooney, no-one banked on Owen being the biggest name on the move.

Owen's career statistics

Indeed, as recently as the pre-season trip to America, Owen was making all the noises that suggested signing a new Liverpool contract was a formality.

But there were whispers that he did not want to commit for as long as Liverpool wanted, and stories have since emerged that Owen's relationship with Benitez has not been smooth.

No deal was done and Liverpool's board, terrified at the prospect of losing Owen on a Bosman after Steve McManaman took the same route to the Bernabeu, have accepted an £8m-plus-player deal that is at best cut-price, and at worst a steal.

Benitez has played a tough game with Owen

This combination of circumstances led to the stunning chain of events that has Owen at the gates of the Bernabeu in the summer's biggest transfer surprise.

It is also a move of startling bravery by Benitez, who is making a massive statement of intent early in his Anfield reign and is apparently more than willing to sanction Owen's departure.

The word from inside Liverpool's Melwood traing camp is that Benitez has made his mark by breaking up a so-called Scouse "clique" involving Owen, Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Danny Murphy.

Murphy has gone and Owen is going - to be replaced by a succession of Spanish stars well known to Benitez.

Owen departs Liverpool with his place in the club's history books assured, particularly for the two goals that almost single-handedly won the FA Cup against Arsenal in 2001.

He is, unjustly, regarded with respect rather than true affection among Liverpool fans, never quite reaching the iconic level of Robbie Fowler, or more recently Gerrard.

It is a status that may have made his departure easier to bear for player and club - but still a departure that leaves a massive void to fill.

Milan Baros won the Golden Boot at Euro 2004, but his radar has been notoriously unreliable at club level, while £14m Djibril Cisse is still unproven in the Premiership.

But Benitez is known for ruthlessness, and it is clear he feels Liverpool's life can go on without Owen.

Those supporting Owen's departure suggest Liverpool have become one-dimensional with him in the side, relying too much on his pace and goal-scoring.

Gerrard will be unhappy at Owen's departure

Time will tell whether Liverpool will be more rounded without their master marksman.

Owen will regard the move to Madrid as the ultimate opportunity to fill a trophy cabinet that is short of the top honours a player of his stature deserves.

He is best known for his boyish appearance, but Owen has a ruthlessly single-minded approach and will back himself to win a regular place, even in competition with the "galacticos" Raul and Ronaldo.

It will add an extra layer to his game that will also benefit England.

Owen will leave a legacy at Liverpool - not least in the mind of captain Gerrard.

Gerrard had a last-minute change of heart about a £31m summer move to Chelsea, presumably on the promise of big new signings to take Liverpool forward.

What he did not have in mind was that the plan would include the sale of close friend Danny Murphy, and the departure of Liverpool's other world-class player and England colleague Owen.

Gerrard is unlikely to be elated at this dramatic turn of events. He may even feel a sense of betrayal.

So while Owen leaves, the effects of this stunning deal may not have finished reverberating through Anfield yet.

Academy: Want to be as quick as Michael Owen?