[coop]

Fowler set for Anfield farewell
May 11 2007
by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post

ROBBIE FOWLER is bracing himself for an emotional Anfield swansong after his departure from the club was confirmed yesterday.

The 32-year-old striker will bow out in Sunday’s final Barclays Premiership home match of the campaign against Charlton Athletic, when he will also be hoping to press his claims for inclusion in the Champions League final squad to take on AC Milan in Athens on May 23.

But Fowler, who since being given a one-year contract when his loan deal from Manchester City was made permanent last summer has been mainly a fringe player, is preparing a final farewell to the Kop after being delivered the news that he was “half-expecting.”

A close friend of the striker said: “Robbie has been told his contract won’t be renewed at the end of the season. He’s obviously bitterly disappointed because he loves the club, but he half expected it.

“Robbie holds no grudges and was delighted when Rafa (Benitez) gave him the opportunity to come back to Liverpool.

“He’ll say his goodbyes to Anfield on Saturday but he’s hoping to pay his final farewells to the club by playing a part in the final in Athens.”

Fowler made his Liverpool debut in 1993 and, after leaving for Leeds United in 2001 then joining City, has taken his tally of goals to 183 in his second spell.

He has only started nine times for the club this season but has still managed to score seven goals.

After the last of these, the second of two penalties in the 4-0 win against Sheffield United in February, Fowler revealed he felt he still had two years of top-flight football left in him but with Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez’s intention to replenish his strike-force in the summer has spelt the end for a player who is set to be a target for new Bolton Wanderers manager Sammy Lee.

Meanwhile, Benitez has revealed his delight at the club’s trip to the Far East in the summer when they will compete in the Barclays Asia Trophy.

Liverpool will play the Hong Kong FA Cup winners on July 24 and then one of two fellow Premiership sides either Portsmouth or Fulham on July 27.

Benitez said: “We know that we have a lot of fans in Hong Kong and are looking forward to playing in front of them again. I’m sure they will give us wonderful support and we will do our best to win the Barclays Asia Trophy for them.”

As for the Charlton game, from which Liverpool still need a win to be sure of finishing third, Benitez insists he has not finalised his team selection.

He said: “We will assess the situation in training and then decide who should play for 90 minutes.

“Momo Sissoko won’t be available. He’ll be missing for a week because of a knee problem.

“Pepe Reina should be training again in the next two days, but we’ll also have to see what the doctor says. It’s not a serious problem.

“We know the game is not as important as the Champions League but we would still prefer to finish third in the Premiership.”