Robbie Fowler remains one of Liverpool's finest ever players and he was desperate to secure a return to his boyhood club after leaving for Leeds United just a few years earlier
14:05, 27 Jan 2026
Robbie Fowler during his second spell at Liverpool
Robbie Fowler during his second spell at Liverpool(Image: )
Robbie Fowler has revealed the lengths he went to in order to secure a dream transfer back to Liverpool.
The 50-year-old firmly cemented his place in Liverpool folklore across two spells at Anfield and remains one of the Premier League's best ever strikers. Fowler came through the ranks at Liverpool, making his debut in 1993 as a teenager.
He would go on to score 171 goals for the club and achieve 'God' status but after falling down the pecking order under Gerard Houllier, Fowler left his boyhood club to join Leeds United in a £12 million ($16 million) deal in December 2001.
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After two years at Elland Road, Fowler moved on to Manchester City, where he scored against Liverpool. But injury problems stalled his progress and in January 2006, the striker made an emotional return to Merseyside.
Fowler has now opened up on his switch back to Liverpool after a phone call from Rafael Benitez, and insists the decision was a no-brainer.
"Getting that chance to return to Liverpool was the best thing that ever happened to me in football. It was better than winning trophies. I got the chance to pull on a red shirt again and I probably appreciated it more," he told Liverpool's official website.
Robbie Fowler working as a pundit during the Premier League game between Man City and Liverpool.
Robbie Fowler working as a pundit(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
"It sounds crazy. But I didn't even have a medical - and I didn't even look at the contract I was signing. My initial return was a six-month deal, and I had struggled with a few injuries - so I was probably glad looking back!
"People might say I am a little bit clichéd here, but I genuinely wasn't bothered about what was written on the piece of paper. I wasn't coming back for money. I never said this at the time, but if they'd have asked whether I would've done it for nothing, I would have - it meant I was coming home.
"The reception I received when I came on against Birmingham on my return will live with me forever. The noise and Anfield crowd that night were incredible."
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Fowler would spend two seasons back at his former club, scoring 12 times, and even featured in the 2007 Champions League final defeat to AC Milan as a substitute.
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He added: "I'm obviously proud of all the goals I scored for Liverpool and I'm extremely proud of being in the top 10 of the Premier League too. But it probably irks me I didn't get more!
Towards the end I was a bit-part player, and it kills me saying that. I know if I'd have had more games I would've scored more. I would've loved to stay at Liverpool forever - but things happen in football."