Ex-Liverpool player was so 'desperate' to return he begged Steven Gerrard to speak to manager

Former Liverpool player Michael Owen has admitted he was desperate to return to the Anfield club.

Owen came through the ranks at Liverpool before making his senior debut back in 1996.

The striker went on to make 297 appearances across all competitions, scoring 158 goals.

In 2004, Owen left Liverpool for Spanish La Liga giants Real Madrid before returning to the Premier League with Newcastle United.

On the back of his time with the Magpies, Owen made a controversial move to Liverpool’s fierce rivals, Manchester United.

The move dented Owen’s legacy at Liverpool but speaking to BoyleSports, who offer the latest Premier League Odds, he admitted he was desperate to return to Anfield and asked Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher to speak to then-manager Rafael Benitez.

Owen said: “The odd idiot still gives me flack for playing for Man United, but it happens very rarely. It may be the odd person on Twitter or something.

“I think anybody who's sensible or anyone I've spent over two minutes explaining the decision to, goes from being stubborn about the decision to understanding it. I would have walked back to Liverpool from Newcastle! I picked up the phone, spoke to Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, and told them to tell Rafa Benitez that I was free!”

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He continued: “I had that conversation many times after I left Liverpool. People who know the story will know how things panned out step by step. They knew I was desperate to come back to Liverpool throughout my career, as they're my team. The manager didn't need me, though, as Fernando Torres signed for the club and Luis Suarez followed him after he left.

“At the end of the day, playing football was my job and I needed to stay on top of my game. Of all the teams who were available to me after I left Newcastle, Manchester United was by far the best option.”

During his time with United, Owen managed 17 goals in 52 appearances, including the famous winner during a 4-3 win against local rivals Manchester City in 2009.