Fowler heads back to Liverpool
Manchester City's Robbie Fowler has sensationally re-signed for Liverpool.
Manchester City's Robbie Fowler has sensationally re-signed for Liverpool.
Skysports.com reported earlier on Friday that Fowler was being strongly linked with a return to Anfield - and now the move has been completed.
Fowler has joined The Reds until the end of the season, with his City contract due to expire in the summer.
A Liverpool statement confirmed the move, and read: "Liverpool Football Club are delighted to announce that Robbie Fowler has rejoined the club on a free transfer from Manchester City until the end of the season when the situation will be reviewed."
The 30-year-old bagged over 170 goals in his nine-year spell from 1992 to 2001 - and he will now get the chance to add to that tally.
The last time Fowler scored for Liverpool was a hat-trick against Leicester in October 2001 - before he signed for Leeds.
Rafa Benitez has decided the time is right to bring Fowler in, and the Spanish tactician will hope that his goalscoring expertise can rub off on the likes of Peter Crouch and Djibril Cisse - who have at times struggled to find the net on a regular basis during their time with the club.
The capture of Fowler has raised a few eyebrows, but Benitez has no doubts he can add a new dimension to his squad.
"My idea is for Liverpool to take one step forward and I think Robbie can help us make that step," Benitez told the club's website.
"We have signed a player with so much passion for this football club and I think he will act as an example to every player here in how much he loves Liverpool.
"It is a boost for the team, a boost for the supporters and a boost for Robbie himself. I'm not sure I've ever seen a player quite so happy to be joining a club before.
"I think it's a signing that will lift everyone who loves Liverpool Football Club because Robbie is a great finisher who can help us reach a new level.
"He hasn't been signed because he loves the club, he's been signed because he's one of the best goalscorers ever to play in The Premiership and he can score goals for us right now.
"People can talk about having a lot of money to buy players but we've just signed a player with a passion and a heart for this club that no amount of money can buy. We are close to a very high level right now but with Robbie we can go even higher."
Meanwhile, Liverpool have confirmed that Cisse was arrested earlier this week for an alleged assault on his wife Jude.
The Frenchman has picked up a subsequent caution for common assault and Benitez may now consider whether to use him for this weekend's FA Cup clash with Portsmouth.
