What a day it has been.
I still remember when Rafa pulled the grand-daddy of Anfield returns by announcing the signing of Robbie Fowler. What a day that was. What an inspiration....
Two seasons down the road and we finally managed to bid our emotional goodbyes. While Robbie's second coming wasn't exactly a qualified success, he still did the job, scored the goals - he still played his part. But more importantly the episode confirmed what we all always knew in our hearts - that God loves Liverpool and Liverpool will always love God.
The same is not likely ever to be said of another highly successful dimunitive forward who too, once played for Liverpool. Certainly not now that Michael Owen has, in yet another in a long line of dubious career choices, chosen to sign for arch-rival Manchester United.
What in the world was he thinking indeed! A query rightly put forth by his legion of Liverpool soon to be ex-fans - myself slightly included.
In all these long years, Owen had always made it clear that his ambition and England career came first....
It seems strange that a former Liverpool hero, a legend by any count, should now fall this far from grace. But is it his fault? A stranger question still!
And yet it bears answering.
The truth is that, as much as Owen is appreciated for what he gave Liverpool in terms of goals, that is now distant history. Most fans now acknowledge that Mikey is no longer the player he once was for Liverpool. Injury has marred - no - ravaged his playing career, and this has left him with little value to his stock.
No club is willing to pay a premium for a player who might just end up on the operating table. Even the signing for Man U is on a free and for basic wages plus pay as you play bonuses.
In all fairness, had Rafa also made an approach, Owen would probably have chosen us instead. But this did not come to pass.
So what choice did Mikey have - between Hull City and Manchester United?
For a player desperate to resurrect his England career - and had it been anyone else - the choice would have been dead obvious.
So Michael Owen chose - to wallow in Manure rather than to burn in Hull....
Can we really blame him then? No we cannot.
But we can ask: Why? Owen, why?
Why did you choose to delay negotiations in your last season, run the contract down till we could only manage a measly £8 million for one of the best strikers in the world?
Why did you not hold your resolve and reject Newcastle so that you could force a return to Liverpool?
Did England mean that much to you?
And why after all those choices, did you still choose Man U?
Yes, we know England does mean that much to you - you broke a leg to prove it.
As a Liverpool fan, it is hard to take.
Yes we can say old Fergie is desperate to rely on an injury prone player.
Yes he may have lost his pace, but his penchant for goals - when fit - is almost unarguable. And with the expected service that an established club like the Mancs can provide, what will the potential be - if fit?
And yes we know even Man U fans are skeptical - but for what Owen is now worth on a free - it hardly represents a big 'gamble', and could yet pay off handsomely....
____________________________________________________________________________________
And so it has come as a really huge lift to find out that yet another Liverpool legend has made his return to where he belongs.
Though Kenny Dalglish no longer plays competitive football, his contribution to Liverpool FC extends far beyond that of an on-field playing career.
The last Liverpool manager to lead Liverpool to a league title (and not to mention Blackburn too), Kenny Dalglish is not only the greatest player to ever don the red shirt, he was also an integral part of the all-conquering Liverpool of the pre-Premier League era.
He is a perfect gentleman through and through - and only the travails and heartbreak of Hillsborough cut short his career at Liverpool. Here was a man so involved in the aftermath of the tragedy that he practically carried the weight of Hillsborough on his shoulders.
And after nearly two decades, he is now back.
Kenny Dalglish: #1 player to shake the Kop. He may well shake the Kop again....
It is great to know that Rafa has taken an intimate interest in the Liverpool Academy, and with now Dalglish involved in the setup in a senior role, we can look forward to youth players coming through for the first team - as Stevie G, Carragher, Fowler (and Owen) did.
And being the Liverpool icon that he is, his further appointment as club ambassador becomes even more apt, and may well address Liverpool FC's long time underachievement in the commercial side of things.
It certainly puts things in perspective doesn't it? That the announcments for Dalglish and Owen should occur within 24 hours of the other?
Certainly the news on Michael Owen have rightfully hit the headlines. But that has always been the way for Glory Man United....
Meanwhile, Liverpool under Rafa's direction will go through our own quiet revolution - because that has always been Liverpool's way.
The only people we want in Liverpool, are the ones who want Liverpool.
So thank you Kenny, for setting right an otherwise ugly day.
And to Michael Owen: you were a legend at Liverpool and we wish you well.
You made your choices and we cannot deny your reasons.
But at least we know what Robbie would have done in your shoes. Thank God for that.
