Ten Fowler Moments

1. Four-minute hat-trick

This was the afternoon a young Fowler wrote himself into the record books with a phenomenal scoring achievement. Kopites basked in the early season sun as Liverpool's newest striking sensation emphatically reaffirmed his mantle as one of the hottest goal-poachers in the game by scoring the fastest ever Premiership hat-trick against a shell-shocked Arsenal defence.

2. Supporting the Dockers

Fowler never forgot his roots and in March 1997 famously went public with his support for the Merseyside Dockers during a European Cup Winners Cup tie against Brann Bergen. A hot political issue at the time, the 'Growler' helped put the plight of the 500 sacked Dockers on the map when, after netting at the Kop end, he proudly pulled up his top to reveal a t-shirt supporting those who had been fired. He was later fined 2,000 Swiss Francs by UEFA who stated that their regulations prohibit players from displaying any political logos at matches.

3. The famous five

In the autumn of 1993, 18-year old Robbie breezed into the Liverpool ticket first team like a breath of fresh air and confirmed his arrival on the big stage with a stunning five-goal demolition of Fulham in the 2nd leg of a 2nd round Coca Cola Cup tie at Anfield. The Reds had been struggling for goals until the then boss Graeme Souness unleashed his highly-rated rookie and it paid off handsomely as Fowler became only the fourth player in the club's history to score five in one game. A star was born.

4. Honest a God

Controversy seemed to follow Fowler during the late '90s but on this occasion he hit the headlines for all the right reasons and earned himself a UEFA Fair Play award in the process after admitting that he had not been fouled by Arsenal keeper David Seaman after a penalty had been awarded at Highbury. His honesty could have proved costly for Liverpool but goals from Collymore and McAteer ensured everyone was a winner.

5. Singing the Blues

Robbie loved nothing better than putting one over our Mersey rivals and the club he supported as a boy. In 17 games he netted a total of six goals and it all started in March 1994 when he struck the winner in what was to be the last derby in front of a standing Kop. He'd just come back from a two-month lay-off with a broken ankle but returned with a bang, racing onto a through ball from John Barnes and firing past Neville Southall.


6. The second coming

To say the Kop was pleased to welcome Robbie back to the club following his time away at Leeds and Manchester City would be a gross understatement. Talk of him returning had occasionally popped up in the sports pages but was always shrugged off as pure fabrication. Until January 2006 that is when Liverpool's prodigal son sensationally returned to a hero's reception. His free transfer capture from City delighted everyone of a Red persuasion and Fowler himself admitted it was a dream come true.

7. Upstaging Cantona

On what should have been Eric Cantona's big day, the 'Toxteth Terror' stole the show on a memorable Sunday afternoon at Old Trafford. Having been out the game for nine months following his infamous kung-fu attack, Cantona made a much-hyped return against the Reds and managed to net a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw. However, the abiding memory of this game will always be Robbie's perfectly-executed brace of goals.

8. UEFA Cup Final goal

Fowler shrugged off the disappointment of being omitted from the starting eleven for Liverpool's first European final in 15 years and almost emerged the hero. Midway through the second half he came off the bench with the score tied at 3-3 and made an immediate impact, restoring the Reds lead with a sublime solo effort. Unfortunately, Alaves amazing hit back with a last-gasp equaliser but the treble was secured thanks Delfin Geli's golden own goal and Robbie had more than played his part.

9. We've won it five times

Even when he wasn't wearing Liverpool colours, Robbie could still be relied upon to wind up our major rivals and put a smile on Liverpudlian faces. Despite his royal blue upbringing, there was no doubting his status as a rabid red and whenever the opportunity arose he'd take great delight in reminding Manchester United supporters of how many European Cups we've won. Just in case they'd forgotten, obviously.

10. The final goodbye

On 13 May 2007 'God' bid the Kop an emotional final farewell when he graced the hallowed turf of Anfield one last time. Charlton Athletic were the visitors and everyone was willing him to score. Sadly, there was to be no fairy-tale ending – he was substituted just minutes before the Reds were awarded a penalty – but that was quickly forgotten when he embarked on an emotionally-charged lap of honour with his four kids at the end. The entire ground stood as one to applaud and an unprecedented display of adulation swept down from the stands to salute a true Liverpool legend.

from www.liverpoolfc.tv