For me and I assume a lot of Liverpool fans born in the early 90s a strange feeling. While I wouldn't say conflicted as there is no grey are when it comes to Owen, but I think low of him for the way blew hot and cold on Rafa.
But at the same time
Would I be a Liverpool fan if it wasn't for Michael Owen?
Where was he in Istanbul? But would I have even witnessed Istanbul?
Would I be on Rawk right now/football fan etc etc
For a certain generation he was THE man growing up. The person who you would pretend to be in the playground.
So it was so heartbreaking seeing him sign for Manchester United, knowing as your childhood hero could do such a thing.
And this new box that is football you were unpacking because of him, is leading your club a merry dance in early 2004. We all make mistakes when were young, but what really sealed it for me was, if you really lived, breathed, slept this club you would not have gone to Newcastle.
And yes, there are other factors like not wanting to live in Spain, but Rafa would of been waiting for you in January, and you could of put things right but you didn't.
This is something Tony Evans once echoed on the Sunday Supplement, but all the other reporters shot him down like some ill informed child and said 'no it's the united thing'.
Moving to United for me was the wake up call for a lot of Liverpool fans, who couldn't see him for the man he was that a lot of us on here always knew in 2006. For the sake of Liverpool folklore, maybe it's good he went to United so people could finally see that.
As for Michael Owen today, it's just sad who he is, apparently refusing to sign autographs at a Sunday league game (not sure what I think of that) referring to United as 'we' as a LIVERPOOL ambassador.
This isn't the Andy Hunter getting information from a Chris Jericho podcast speaking, this is Andy Hunter speaking from the heart about seeing a man I idolised as a child, now burn not only bridges, but suck all the water in the bridge underneath it up with his full personality and lack of awareness of the people he offfends with his comments.
Come back for charity matches, I'm happy to set things aside for charity, but as an ambassador?
So as an ambassador you represent Liverpool fans in
Referring to United as we? And thankful Benzema opened the door for you to come.
Putting England before Liverpool?
Leading Rafa along?
Etc, etc etc
If you can't see that Michael, then it just proves that even in 2017, you just don't get it mate.
Barcelona fans said to Luis Figo, 'We hate you so much because we loved you so much' for that is the case of the primary school Andy Hunter, sticking a bottle can between between two jumper goalposts shouting 'OWEN!!' and pretending to be him and having all his merch from posters, kits, toys you name it.
But to paraphrase for most fans 'We hate you so much, because you never got us as much'.
It's sad, but that's Michael Owen.
