Owen is well and truly one of Liverpool's greatest strikers and currently sits eighth on the club's all time goal-scorers list. But he still left the club at the tender age of just 24. Owen broke into the Liverpool side when he was just 17 and became an instant hit at Anfield. He became a regular at the club, winning countless trophies including the 2001 treble, netting twice during the 2-1 FA Cup final win against Arsenal. He also became on of Europe's elite players and took home the Ballon D'Or in 2001. However, in 2005, there was strong interest from Real Madrid. Despite Liverpool having a new manager in Rafa Benitez and signing some exciting new players that included Xabi Alonso, Owen opted for Spain. There, he spent most of his time on the bench with Raul and Ronaldo the preffered strike partnership. Just a season later, Owen returned to England and signed for Newcastle United, however he was riddled with injury and his career very much began to be on a downward spiral in the North-East. To make matters worse, Liverpool won the Champions League the very season Owen joined the Spanish side. At just 24, Owen was very much on his way to become an Anfield immortal: he was destined to become the club's all-time top goalscorer and surpass Ian Rush's record. However, a move to Madrid - when Owen knew he would be behind Raul and Ronaldo at the club - saw his career go downhill from thereon in. Which of these players deserves to have taken the top spot? Share your own thoughts below in the comments thread.
