Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen has defended the Reds following Sir Alex Ferguson's accusation that he was overplayed as a young player.
The former Manchester United manager believes that the injury issues that plagued Owen later in his career was due to the fact he played too much football as a young player.
However, Owen has defended the Reds from that claim and believes he was played out of necessity, with United having a far superior squad at that stage.
"Yeah it's a really interesting question and I don't think we'll ever know the answer to it really," he replied to BBC podcast Savage Social when asked if he was played too much as a young player.
"If you talk to Sir Alex Ferguson, he's convinced that I overplayed and all the rest of it. Which is fine and I absolutely respect his opinion.
"He thinks that while I was scoring goals for Liverpool and then in the summer I'd be whisked off to play for England Under-20s and then I'd be straight back in the Liverpool first team.
"But at the time that's just what happened. I guess Liverpool needed me. And I suppose Liverpool needed me more than certain players were needed for Manchester United at the time, because they had such a great squad.
"They could bring [Ryan] Giggs in or out, all these different players. Whereas we were trying to catch them, we didn't have the luxury of having a massive squad and being able to rotate."
Tazbcmpy
2
Ferguson's assumption was right about Owen, the same warning was given to Man Utd concerning Greenwood, over reliant on young players is dangerous to their career in the future, hence Solskjear's attitude of using Greenwood sparingly. Had Liverpool do same with Owen probably he would have last much longer. So whether Owen admit it or not, in fact he admitted it, by saying it was the situation with the club as a chasing pack that warrant him being over used.
Diecdilmuz
1
look how Alex used to talk about rival club and how Klopp talks about his rival club.......just think who needs more respect...
rotbcmort
1
Mbappe has also been playing a lot of top level football since 16 or something.Young players will be used as per the team needs.
You cannot compare the level of fair play and protection in the days of Owen to that of Mbappe
Cihcmorsz
0
Of course Ferguson would say that about Liverpool but the truth is Owen was on the small side who was reliant very much on speed and he had the misfortune of having brittle hamstrings...that really led to the injuries later in his career
Capilsty
1
Owen is not a gentleman at all as he is still in denial of the fact that he was overplayed by his previous team, the fools! He could not analyse that as he was on the inside! Unlike the genius SAF who saw all this from outside. Grow up Owen, accept that fact! Don't just blindly support your club!
Vezonic22
2
Owen, please admit in spite the necessity you mentioned you were indeed overplayed. It even affected your time at Real Madrid and that's why you also ended up back in England.
therevenant
0
Mbappe has also been playing a lot of top level football since 16 or something.Young players will be used as per the team needs.
lizliz
1
you're welcome
jezabdnpyz
4
Owen Is One Of Those Players That Relied And Based Heavily On SPEED. Once You Got Older And With A Couples Of Bad Injuries, You Will Eventually Lose The ❌ Factor.