'I called my agent after one training session with Owen and Gerrard and said, "There are two boys you should sign if you're not silly". But he didn't come!': Ex-Liverpool striker recalls first encounter with star duo in 1997

In the late 1990s, Liverpool's youth academy produced remarkable talents, notably Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard. Owen debuted in 1996, followed by Gerrard two years later, establishing themselves under coaches Roy Evans and Gerard Houlier. Their exceptional skills stood out even among seasoned pros. Notably, German player Karl-Heinz Riedle, who joined Liverpool in 1997, was astonished by the duo's prowess during practice, prompting him to urge his agent to sign them due to their untapped potential, marking a significant miss for the agent and an enduring legacy for Liverpool.

"They had two young players who were both 17 years old when I arrived: one was called Michael Owen and the other one was Steven Gerrard... I couldn't even believe how good those two guys were."

"Michael was incredible at his age, and with Steven you could see straight away that he had no restraint at all he was tackling Paul Ince in the first training session... His desire, his talent, everything."

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