Fowler 'had to leave' Liverpool

13 April 2012

Robbie Fowler instigated his £11million transfer from Liverpool to Leeds United after fearing he was in danger of becoming fourth choice striker under Gerard Houllier.

Fowler, already disillusioned by his failure to break up Houllier's preferred partnership of Emile Heskey and Michael Owen, resolved to quit his home club after detecting clear signs that he had also fallen behind Jari Litmanen in the battle for places.

Shortly before the Liverpool manager fell ill, nearly seven weeks ago, Litmanen was promoted to the starting line-up alongside Fowler against Tottenham as Owen and Heskey were rested ahead of the following week's Champions League meeting with Dynamo Kiev.

Though Owen was subsequently ruled out of the European tie with hamstring trouble, Heskey duly returned in place of Fowler, rather than Litmanen, in a move that left the England striker dismayed.

It confirmed his worst fears that he was slipping further out of the picture under Houllier and that he would have to leave to revive his career.

Despite Liverpool's insistence that Houllier was prepared to make negotiating a new deal with the player his first club business since rising from his sick bed, Fowler remained unconvinced about his future.

The countdown to a five-year £45,000-a-week contract at Elland Road began in earnest on Sunday when he reacted angrily to his substitution in the 1-0 win over Sunderland and decided it was time to force the issue.

Liverpool's offer of contract talks was firmly rebuffed as Fowler made it clear he wanted a clean break and left Houllier with little option but to sanction talks between Leeds and the disaffected Toxteth-born striker that ended in agreement yesterday. Fowler's arrival at Elland Road, pending a medical, will be especially welcomed by Leeds boss David O'Leary as his hot-headed striker Alan Smith was involved in more controversy last night when he clashed with Chelsea's Graeme Le Saux in their Worthington Cup tie.

Meanwhile, Houllier's search for reinforcements begins. Already a confirmed admirer of Juventus's David Trezeguet, the Liverpool manager is also considering an approach for West Ham's Frederic Kanoute and is one of the front-runners in the race for prolific Auxerre goalscorer Djibril Cisse. Derby striker Malcolm Christie could also come into consideration after his name was mentioned during talks about centre-back Chris Riggott.

Liverpool, however, may be caught cold by the speed of Fowler's departure. Caretaker manager Phil Thompson said: 'It has come about very quickly, and no-one has had the chance to take stock. We will think things over, but there is no one person we can say is coming in.'

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