Liverpool boasted an array of spectacular kids on the finish of the Nineteen Nineties breaking into the primary workforce, together with Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen, however one agent missed out on the chance to signal them.
Whereas nonetheless solely 17, Owen made his debut throughout the 1996/97 season, with Gerrard following him a few years later. Each rapidly developed at Anfield and have become vital gamers beneath first Roy Evans after which later Gerard Houlier, with the pair standing out in Liverpool coaching amongst seasoned professionals like Paul Ince, Steve McManaman and Rigobert Track.
German worldwide Karl-Heinz Riedle joined Liverpool in 1997 after having simply gained the Champions League with Borussia Dortmund, and was instantly impressed by the academy graduates – a lot in order that even phoned his agent urging him to signal them.
“That they had two younger gamers who have been each 17 years outdated after I arrived: one was referred to as Michael Owen and the opposite one was Steven Gerrard,” Riedle solely tells FourFourTwo when requested which Liverpool gamers impressed him essentially the most.
“After we had the primary coaching session, I couldn’t even consider how good these two guys have been. I mentioned to our coach, Roy Evans, ‘What is that this? What do you’ve right here?!’
“Michael was unbelievable at his age, and with Steven you could possibly see immediately that he had no restraint in any respect – he was tackling Paul Ince within the first coaching session and he couldn’t even prepare any extra after that. Usually 17-year-old gamers are extra in awe, however Stevie killed him within the five-a-side. You could possibly see his want, his expertise – all the pieces.
“Truly, I phoned my agent after the primary coaching session and instructed him about them as a result of I knew they each had no contracts. I mentioned ‘Hear, it’s important to come over – there are two boys who you need to signal when you’re not foolish.’ However he didn’t come! You could possibly see their expertise immediately.”
That missed alternative from Riedle’s agent later proved a pricey mistake.
Whereas Gerrard stayed at Liverpool to grow to be membership captain and one of many best-paid gamers within the Premier League, Owen accomplished a profitable transfer to Actual Madrid earlier than returning to England with Newcastle, Manchester United and Stoke.
Riedle, in the meantime, spent two years at Anfield earlier than becoming a member of Fulham within the second tier. He grew to become caretaker supervisor there, utilising the assistance of his former Liverpool supervisor Roy Evans.
