Michael Owen has opened up on how Liverpool wanted to bring an end to Steven Gerrard's time at the club two years before his eventual exit from Anfield.
After an unforgettable 17 year spell with his boyhood club, the Reds icon departed Anfield in 2015, moving to MLS side LA Galaxy.
Gerrard departed Anfield a hero, having helped the Reds to a number of major honours, including the 2005 European Cup.
But Owen , who was a team-mate of Gerrard's at both club and international level, believes he was against moving to LA and would have instead preferred to see out his playing days at Anfield.
"In Steven's case, I severely doubt whether he really wanted to go and play in the States in 2015," the former Reds forward wrote in his new autobiography 'Reboot' .
"I've heard that the club wanted him out two years prior to when he actually left.
HERE"I'm sure he would rather have wound his career down at Liverpool, playing increasingly fewer games until he reached a point where he could be integrated into the coaching staff.
"This only happened later in his case. But instead, because he'd become so symbolic and so powerful, I believe he was forced out in the short term. Steven was bigger than the club."
Michael Owen: Reboot – My Life, My Time, published by Reach Sport, is on sale Thursday 5th September in hardback, ebook and audiobook. www.reachsportshop.com
Michael will be signing copies at Waterstones Liverpool One, Saturday September 7th at 1pm.
Online link: https://reachsportshop.com/book/michael-owen-reboot/
