Former England stars Owen & Shearer publicly insulted each other on Twitter

Michael Owen has questioned Alan Shearer's perceived loyalty to Newcastle after claiming his old teammate was "inches away from signing for Liverpool".

The pair have been involved in a row on social media after exclusive extracts of Owen's new autobiography, Reboot, were published by Mirror Football.

Among the frank revelations, Owen revealed that he and Shearer had previously been "very good friends" but their relationship turned into a nasty feud which still rumbles on today.

Responding to a sly dig from Shearer on Twitter , Owen said: "Not sure you are as loyal to Newcastle as you make out mate.

"I distinctly remember you being inches away from signing for Liverpool after Sir Bobby Robson put you on the bench. You tried everything to get out."

It was later in his Newcastle career that Owen came to loggerheads with his former England captain however, when Shearer took over as interim manager.

Owen claimed he was unfit for the final match of the campaign, but claimed he received a negative response from his manager.

Gary Lineker also mocked Owen and Shearer's quarrel on Twitter, but former Liverpool star hit back at his old friend and said: "Are you surprised he's manipulated a tiny part of an honest answer to aim a cheap dig at me? Most ex-players I've spoken to aren't."

In response, Lineker said: "There appears to be a bit of history here? I like you both so don't want to pick sides. *Removes creosote from arse."