Michael Owen reveals the one player who convinced him to leave Liverpool for Real Madrid

Michael Owen named Ian Rush as inspiration when asked why he decided to leave Liverpool for Real Madrid in 2004.

The ex-England international opted to leave the Reds after eight years on their books after interest came in from the Spanish giants.

Owen has now revealed that he carefully considered his options before accepting a transfer, and named Rush’s move to Juventus as part of his thinking.

“Even though it was Real it was still hard to do,” Owen told talkSPORT on Tuesday.

“As soon as I heard of their interest, I was with Jamie Carragher at the time, and we both couldn’t believe it.

“I spent a couple of days thinking ‘shall I, shan’t I’?

“It was in the back of my mind that Ian Rush did it. He left Liverpool, he did a year at Juventus and came back.”

Former Wales international Rush joined Juventus from Liverpool in 1986 and spent a season playing in Italy.

Rush only managed 7 league goals in 29 appearances as the Old Lady finished seventh in the table.

Owen continued: “If I had said no, I am going to think ‘what if?’ all my life.

“I just thought it is an experience that I have to try.

“That kit, that stadium, those players – Ronaldo, Zidane, Beckham, Figo, Carlos. There were so many great players at the time.

“I remember vividly going to the airport thinking, what have I done? I thought I could come back.

“In hindsight, I would have loved to have stayed at Liverpool my entire career but then I wouldn’t have had the experiences I did have.”

Owen went on to score 16 goals in all competitions as Real finished second in the table, before a much publicised move to Newcastle.

source: express.co.uk