The only way that Owen will get to win trophies of the non-plastic variety

Shinboners

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The only way that Owen will get to win tropies of the non-plastic variety

Looks like he'll be off to Real Madrid.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature?id=282234&cc=3436

All the talk is Owen

The Insider

The rumours surrounding Michael Owen's departure from Liverpool have been doing the rounds of press rooms across the country for the last few months and Anfield manager Gerard Houllier has finally been forced to enter the debate.

With back page headlines on Sunday morning suggesting a £25m bid from Real Madrid was imminent, Houllier faced a grilling from the media on the subject after his side scrambled a vital win thanks to a last-minute Danny Murphy penalty. And it was more in hope than expectation that he tried to play down speculation over Owen's future.

'There is no deadline for Michael signing his new contract, but I can promise you we will not get into a Steve McMananman situation,' he began, referring to scenario that saw the England winger leave Liverpool on a free a few years ago. 'Our fans know Michael well enough to appreciate he has too much respect for Liverpool Football Club to walk away from us on bad terms.
 

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Shinboners

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First rat off the sinking ship?

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=283190&cc=3436

Champions League or I go - Owen


Michael Owen has hinted he may quit Liverpool to play abroad if the club fails to qualify for the Champions League.

England striker Owen has 18 months left on his current contract, and has given no indication he plans to extend his stay at Anfield.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard signed a four-year deal yesterday, but Owen told Shoot magazine: 'It is impossible to say about my future at Liverpool.

'If they are winning the league every year, there will not be any decision to make about playing abroad.

'There is no problem now and, in an ideal situation, Liverpool will do really well this season and challenge for the league.

'But I really need to be playing in the Champions League and that is something we have to remedy.'

Liverpool lost out to Chelsea in the battle for Champions League qualification on the final day of last season.
 

GoalsFrom50Out

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#5
Originally posted by Karanicolas
Who is he going to replace?

Ronaldho?

Raul?

He will stay.
Inter may have a look at him with their current attacking woes. They have Vieri who is playing at 40% at best, and Julio Cruz ... I can definitely see Inter having a look at him.
 

Dipper

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#6
Comments like the above just reinforce why I despise Gerrard Houllier so much, he loves using the press to launch attacks on people or defend his own opinion but at least the people he usually attacks are 'enemies' but to start stoking up the fires in relation to Owen leaving on a free is scandalous.

IfOwen does see out his contract & leave on a Bosman free he will have done nothing wrong & should be able to leave with his head held high but Houllier is obviously so sh1t scared of him going for nothing that he's trying to create an atmsophere that will make Owen appear the bad guy if the does this, why would he walk away on 'bad terms' if he goes for free?He's served Liverpool well & they didn't pay a fee for him so for me there's no question of him acting improperly.

I'd like to know how Houllier can 'promise' that he won't leave for nothing, as far as I can see he's signed a contract with Liverpool, they can't force him to leave before that contract runs its course & they can't force him to sign a new one.

Really Houllier is such an absolutely wicked human being he deserves all the bad luck that he gets, the comments he made about Ginola when France faileed to qualify for USA 94 were outrageous, you'd have thought that coming close to death might have filled him with a new sense of decency but clearly not.

If Michael Owen chooses to leave Liverpool it will be for no other reason than after about 5 years & £120m Houllier is no closer to challenging for the title & creating a great side than he was at the begining.

Bugger me if Wenger had spent the money that Houllier has Arsenal would have trophies coming out of our arses.
 

Z_K

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#7

CarterS

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#8
You've got to wonder what type of pressure this will be putting on Houllier to succeed.

If Liverpool find themselves struggling at Christmas (ie. out of CL paying spots) then Houllier would be in some serious trouble, surely.

Would the Liverpool board be prepared to sack Houllier in order to try and keep Owen?

I'm willing to bet a lot of money Houllier brings in a big name mid-season.
 

GOALden Hawk

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#9
Originally posted by CarterS
You've got to wonder what type of pressure this will be putting on Houllier to succeed.

If Liverpool find themselves struggling at Christmas (ie. out of CL paying spots) then Houllier would be in some serious trouble, surely.

Would the Liverpool board be prepared to sack Houllier in order to try and keep Owen?

I'm willing to bet a lot of money Houllier brings in a big name mid-season.
We are only 4 points off 4th at the moment despite a very ordinary season, so he will probably keep his job until season's end. Someone said we are looking at Rivaldo, so there is our big name.
 

Weaver

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#10
Originally posted by GOALden Hawk
We are only 4 points off 4th at the moment despite a very ordinary season, so he will probably keep his job until season's end. Someone said we are looking at Rivaldo, so there is our big name.
The power of positive thinking :)

While Liverpool are 13 points off top spot, they are only 7 points above the relegation zone. The glass is half empty.
 

JF_Bay_22_SCG

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#11
Originally posted by NorthBhoy
Do YOU Michael!?!?!?


Is it jus me, or is that one fuked up thing to say?
I think it is an awesome thing to say, and an indication that with the money flying around Europe these days that clubs treat the Champions League as a necessity to stay in touch with their rival in a competitive market.

Also it brings the mentality closer in line to what you get on the Continent-that European glory is the greatest thing you can get.

People want to play at the highest level. And despite having the name "Liverpool" the Scousers have done very little.

I think Owen is saying that that trend must be stopped. Or they WILL start seriously falling behind their competitors.

JF
 

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#13
Owen won't go anywhere - not now that SG has signed up.

They are a reasonable side in need of a few defenders. Going forward they have improved immensely with the inclusion of HK. Personally I reckon we (the Arsenal) were fortunate to scrap a win at Anfield this year.

That said, they won't get anywhere near any (non-plastic) trophies this year.

Dip, we're doing ok with no cash at prez mate. A month on top and decent effort against Inter in Milan and who knows???
 
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