Michael Owen recently gave an interview, stating that he had always wanted to return to Liverpool after playing for Real Madrid, but the club disappointed him after breaking a handshake agreement.
Owen later went on to sign for Manchester United. Prior to that, he first joined Newcastle United to return to the Premier League, and then moved to Old Trafford, where he won the Premier League title under Sir Alex Ferguson. This damaged his reputation among Liverpool fans, a consequence that may last a lifetime.
Owen said: “Leaving Liverpool broke my heart. I joined Liverpool at the age of 10, and Gerrard and I fought together in youth football for many, many years. This is my club.”
“But Real Madrid don’t come knocking every day, and recent history shows I’m not the only one who’s thought ‘should I give it a go?’”
“Of course, after that, I took every opportunity to try to get back to Liverpool. I actually had a handshake agreement with the club that I would come back in a year or two. Fast forward to when I was ready to leave Madrid, our deal was almost done, but then Newcastle stepped in and offered double Transfer offer money.”
“At no point after that did Liverpool want me back, and at every stage, I tried to come back. I can say that if I were a grudge-holding person, I would resent the club because they broke the handshake agreement.”
“Brendan Rodgers had many chances, but he chose not to sign me back. It takes two to tango.”
