Past playersMichael Owen
Years: 1997-2004
Appearances: 297
Goals: 158
Honours: FA Cup (2001), UEFA Cup (2001), League Cup (2001, 2003), UEFA Super Cup (2001)
A supreme finisher and natural striker, Michael Owen exploded onto the first-team scene as a 17-year-old and left Liverpool with a ratio of a goal every two games and an FA Cup final named after him.
Blessed with extraordinary speed and terrifying composure when presented with a chance, the Chester native notched 158 times in a Liverpool shirt during his seven seasons at Anfield.
Buzz and hype already surrounded the lethal forward when Roy Evans handed him a senior debut against Wimbledon in May 1997; naturally, he required just 16 minutes to find the target after being introduced from the bench.
For the next seven years, Liverpool were guaranteed league goals in the double figures by Owen - despite his tender age, he concluded the 1997-98 campaign with 23 goals from 44 matches in all competitions.
Having announced himself on the global stage at the 1998 World Cup in France, back on club duty he registered goal records of 23 and 12 in the next two seasons.
Emile Heskey's arrival at Anfield in 2000 heralded a new era for Owen - at domestic and international levels - as the pair formed an effective partnership that allowed both to score goals.
Owen added another 24 to his personal tally during the landmark treble-winning season of 2000-01, including an iconic brace against Roma in a UEFA Cup tie at the Stadio Olimpico.
His defining moment for the club followed at the Millennium Stadium in May 2001, when Liverpool met Arsenal in the FA Cup final. With the Reds significantly outplayed and trailing 1-0 as the game neared its climax, the No.10 struck twice in the last seven minutes to single-handedly bring the trophy back to Merseyside.
By the end of the year his performances had earned him the honour of European Footballer of the Year ahead of the likes of Raul and Luis Figo - becoming the first man to win the prize while playing for Liverpool.
The goals kept flowing. In both 2001-02 and 2002-03 Owen struck the target 28 times, his personal best for a single season at Anfield. The latter campaign also included a goal in the League Cup final triumph over Manchester United.
His crucial strikes ensured Liverpool regained their place in the Champions League elite at the close of 2003-04. But as Gerard Houllier handed the managerial reins over to Rafael Benitez, a transfer to Real Madrid was finalised - bringing an end to a goal-laden spell at Anfield.
