Former Liverpool player Michael Owen has claimed that he doesnt feel welcome back at Anfield.
Speaking to the Athletic about travelling to the ground, he revealed: I dont feel as though Im welcomed or loved and it bloody hurts, so I prefer to avoid it.
But an offer the former striker delivered in the Telegraph in a separate interview certainly wont do much to thaw relations at his boyhood club.
Michael Owen offers Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold a helping hand out of Anfield
Trent Alexander-Arnold has recently been touted to follow in Owens footsteps and, talking to the Telegraph, the former Liverpool man seemed a little too keen to assist the full-backs departure.
Trents got my number, Owen said. A few of the lads have owned horses at my stables, but we generally dont talk football unless I am working. But I would be at the end of the phone for anyone who wanted to discuss it.
With Alexander-Arnolds current contract running out this summer, and him being far and away the most important Liverpool-born player at the club, fans seeing Owen offer to facilitate a move away, even in a small way, is unlikely to boost his standing.
But the former England forward is realistic about what that move could do to the right-backs reputation in his hometown, based on his own experiences of the same move.
Owen said: Whatever happens he [Alexander-Arnold] should be regarded as a hero. Sadly, it does affect the way people view you. It will tarnish him in some eyes even though it shouldnt.
With the 44-year-old seemingly resigned to the way hes viewed at Anfield himself, it appears Owen who scored 158 goals in 297 appearances for the Reds just wants to help Alexander-Arnold do whats best for him.
Owen complaining about his standing at Anfield, before not long afterwards offering one of their biggest and homegrown stars advice on leaving has understandably not gone down well with Liverpool fans.
However, in FourFourTwos view, the parallels in the two players stories and their apparent existing relationship make it unthinkable that the pair wouldnt discuss the matter.
Owen might have been wise to keep it quiet in the national press, though, if he wants a chance at mending relations with supporters of his former club.
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