FORMER KOP idol Robbie Fowler has revealed not saying farewell to Anfield was the biggest regret of his controversial move to Leeds.
The former Liverpool star is set for an emotional return to the ground where he was once worshipped on Saturday with new club Manchester City.
It will be Fowler’s first appearance at Anfield since being sold to Leeds in November 2001.
Champions League ambitions will be at stake for Liverpool as they aim to build on a superb run of seven wins from their last eight Premiership games.
But Fowler is relishing the prospect his Anfield return and the raucous reception he is sure to receive.
“I can’t wait to go back,” he said.
“A lot was made of the first game I played against Liverpool for Leeds at Elland Road and I got a great reception from the Liverpudlians then.
“There was one flag which did annoy me a bit and that was ‘Forget God, We’ve Got St Michael’. I didn’t think that was particularly nice but I don’t think we’ll be seeing that at Anfield. I’m expecting a good reception and I can’t wait to come back.
“I was gutted to leave in the first place. I’d been at Liverpool since I was 11 and when the time came to go it was upsetting. I felt like crying because a big part of me had been taken away.
“I wanted to go so that I could play first team football but deep down I didn’t want to leave and it was a massive wrench.
“I was hearing so many rumours that I was in want got under me. But it was started showing serious.
“I wasn’t playing and me sitting on the false pretences, not until other clubs interest in me that things there was no point bench. I was there picking up wages for doing nothing. I felt I needed to get away and start afresh somewhere else. I’d maybe gone a little bit stale towards the end at Liverpool.”
Saturday’s game will also give Fowler the chance to correct one of his biggest disappointments.
He explained:
“If I could change anything it would be my last game for Liverpool. I got brought off at half time against Sunderland and we were winning 1-0. We had had a man sent-off and for me there are no words to describe it.
“I more or less knew I would be leaving and it was horrible not being able to say goodbye to the fans, and if there was one thing I could change it would be that more than anything else. It was even worse than losing the FA Cup to Man U, being left out of the starting line-up for cup finals and the cream suits!”
