Featured: "Owen's first goal (1996-97)" by Dave Usher

[tlw content]

 

1996/97 was to turn out to be a very disappointing campaign for the Reds, but it will be remembered as the season when Michael Owen announced himself on the first team stage.

 

Things had been looking good for Liverpool for most of the season before a David James inspired late collapse saw them throw away a lead in the Premiership and also go crashing out of Europe after a hammering in Paris.  Michael Owen had been scoring for fun in the reserve and youth teams and had fired Liverpool to FA Youth Cup success the season before, scoring eleven goals in just five games.

 

With the title out of reach, Liverpool travelled to Selhurst Park with only a Champions League place to fight for. With his team two goals down to the Dons, Roy Evans introduced Owen for his senior debut and within 16 minutes the young prodigy responded with a well taken goal. Collecting Stig Bjornebye's fine through ball, the 17 year old raced through the inside left channel before setting himself and coolly sidefooting the ball into the far corner with his right foot.

 

It was the fulfillment of a childhood dream, yet such was the maturity of Owen even at that tender age, that he didn't celebrate; he picked the ball out of the net and raced back to the centre circle to restart the game. The Reds couldn't force an equaliser, however, and the season ended in disappointment a few days later when Sheffield Wednesday held Liverpool to a draw, despite losing their goalkeeper through injury and then having his replacement sent off.

 

Liverpool finished fourth after leading the table for much of the year, but Michael Owen had arrived.

 

 

 

Season:  1996/97 Opposition: Wimbledon Result: 2-1 Scorer(s): Michael Owen Venue: Selhurst Park

 

 

 

Click here to view the article

[Duff Man]

Should be a legend but when I see him on MOTD I almost forget he used to play for us.

[piphomer]

I remember a Plymouth supporting friend of mine was at that game that night for some reason, and told me Liverpool were shite but that young Owen was the future of Liverpool and England...

[LFC64]

Along with coppers looking younger seeing more and more players' careers start and finish makes me realise I must be getting on a bit

[The Guest]

That video depresses the shit out of me.  What a fucking dickhead.

[The Golden Eel]

He's just such a fucking gimp.  I loved him when I was younger, I'm pretty embarrassed about that now as he really is just a total bliff-end.  I don't even hate him you know, he just such a sad, annoying muppet.  Can't beleive they pay him to give his views on anything. 

[Stickman]

Thart winning goal though against Arsenal is still one of the greatest Liverpool goals for me.....Just a shame the way things eventually panned out as he could of lived off that for the rest of his life if he had treated the club and fans with a bit of respect.

[stringvest]

Great day for me that final at Cardiff.  I'm beaming about it again.  

[Manny]

Waste of a career, in the end. He looked like he was going to do it all, and it all just fizzled out really. Shame.

 

He could have been top scorer for England with wiser career choices as well. Looks increasingly likely that this record'll go to Rooney instead, which is a shame as at least Owen turned up at tournament time (on the occasions he was fit).

[Tony Moanero]

I know he's a bit of a tit and all that, but I still get goosebumps when watching those goals.

[Batigol]

Great striker at his peak.  We got his best years.  Really couldn't care less about anything he done or said after leaving.

[Tony Moanero]

Me neither.