"When it comes to the most prolific strikers to pull on a red shirt, you needn't look further than Michael Owen. A player whose career decisions definitely split opinion, but for some, he was the catalyst that opened the door to adoration of this football club. He was the talisman, the flicker of hope to pin ourselves to. Regardless of how you view Michael Owen, what cannot be denied or questioned is his talent, a talent that you only tend to see once in a generation."
"Whilst he didn't put pen to paper until later, he was training with Liverpool's youth team from the age of 16 and outshining all of the older boys in his class. When he turned 17, he made the choice to join Liverpool full-time and commit his future to the Reds. At the time, he was Liverpool's youngest ever goal scorer, netting against Wimbledon in his debut and going on to hit record numbers for a teenager."
"That debut season saw him find the back of the net 23 times, something established and experienced strikers weren't getting close to. People had no choice but to stand up and take notice, and as more eyes watched him, the better he grew. After representing England at every level and on the back of this glorious season, he got his big call-up to the senior team for the 1998 World Cup."
"In a squad that was pipped to have a deep tournament run with strikers like Shearer, Sheringham and club team mate, Robbie Fowler, Owen found himself starting at the World Cup at 18 years old. He'd proven time and time again that his age wasn't an issue, and what he did under the lights in Saint-Ettienne certainly proved that. After getting through the group stage, we faced an old enemy in Argentina, and what we saw was a World Cup classic."
Michael Owen emerged as a highly prolific striker associated with Liverpool’s red shirt. Born in Chester, England, he attracted major youth-club interest while playing for England from age 14. He trained with Liverpool’s youth team from age 16 and outshone older players. At 17, he joined Liverpool full-time, becoming the club’s youngest-ever goal scorer by scoring against Wimbledon on debut and producing record numbers for a teenager. His debut season brought 23 goals, drawing widespread attention and accelerating his development. After representing England at every level, he earned a senior call-up for the 1998 World Cup, starting at 18 and proving his age was no barrier, including in a notable match against Argentina.
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