No. 45 – Robbie Fowler’s final farewell
On 13 May 2007 ‘God’ bid the Kop an emotional final farewell when he graced the hallowed turf of Anfield one last time.
Charlton Athletic were the visitors on the final day of the 2006/07 season, a game which saw Daniele Padelli make his LFC debut while Robbie Fowler was given the honour to captain the Reds in his last Anfield appearance.
Matt Holland put the visitors ahead after just 80 seconds following a a misplaced pass in midfield from Javier Mascherano. Alonso levelled the score when he sidefooted in after Dirk Kuyt had nodded a Kewell cross back into the Spaniard’s path on 62 minutes before Darren Bent restored Charltons lead with only 18 minutes remaining. Zheng Zhi could have doubled the lead for Charlton on numerous occasions while Alexandre Song hit the post with only minutes remaining.
As the minutes ticked away, everyone was willing Robbie Fowler to score. Sadly, there was to be no fairy-tale ending ‘“ he was substituted just minutes before the Reds were awarded a penalty from which Harry Kewell levelled the score. Liverpool drew 2-2 but that was quickly forgotten when Robbie embarked on an emotionally-charged lap of honour at the end of the game with his four kids.
After the game Benitez spoke of the result “Today was for Robbie, It was bad luck, but good luck for the team with the penalty. We wanted to pay tribute to Robbie and the supporters were fantastic as they always are. It was really good for a legend like him to say goodbye in front of the supporters. It was important to give him this opportunity.” The result was enough to ensure the Reds claimed third place in the Premiership.
The entire ground stood as one to applaud and an unprecedented display of adulation swept down from the stands to salute a true Liverpool legend. Fowler had enjoyed two spells at Anfield, between 1993-2001, scoring 120 goals in 236 appearances and between 2006-2007, scoring 8 goals in 30 appearances under Rafa Benitez. A true Liverpool Legend….
Liverpool : Padelli, Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Arbeloa (Alonso 61), Gerrard, Mascherano, Zenden (Kewell 57), Riise, Kuyt, Fowler (Crouch 88).
Subs Not Used : Martin, Hyypia.
Goals: Alonso 62, Kewell 90 pen.
Charlton : Randolph, Young, Bougherra, Hreidarsson, Thatcher, Ambrose (Hughes 52), Holland, Song Billong, Zheng (Marcus Bent 90), Sam (Hasselbaink 82), Darren Bent.
Goals: Holland 2, Darren Bent 72.
Attendance : 43,134
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