Fowler targets final hurrah
Robbie Fowler is hopeful of having one final chance to shine in
Liverpool colours.
The forward will end his association with the club when his
contract expires in the summer, but his final appearance at Anfield
did not go according to script.
Fowler endured a disappointing day in front of goal and was
substituted with minutes remaining to allow the Anfield faithful to
hail their departing hero.
The move backfired, though, as Liverpool were awarded a penalty
shortly after which was converted by Harry Kewell.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez has admitted he was wrong to remove Fowler,
but the striker is hoping for one last hurrah in the UEFA Champions
League final.
"I hope the Charlton game may not be my last game for the club,"
said Fowler. "Like everyone here, I want to be involved in the
Champions League final.
"We all want to claim a shirt, I am no different so I hope this
will not be the end and I can contribute something in
Athens."
Fowler felt being substituted minutes before the penalty award
summed up his season.
He added: "Being substituted a minute before we got a penalty was
just typical of the way things have gone for me this season, but it
has been a good day.
"I would have liked to have got a goal, but the most important
thing is that we did not lose, with it being my last game at
Anfield.
"But it was one of those things, nobody could have known we would
have won a penalty so soon after me going off.
"I've had a very good career here at Liverpool, it was an emotional
time as I walked around the pitch at the end and I cannot thank
[enough] the people here at Liverpool who gave me the chance to
come back.
"It gave me the chance to say goodbye properly, and I didn't get to
do that at the end of my first spell here."
Benitez added: "I was just too quick. If I had waited a minute
more, Robbie could have scored from the spot in front of the Kop,
that would have been a perfect way to end for him.
"I had wanted to give him the chance of a personal ovation, but it
was just one of those things in the end. It was just bad luck for
him, but at least I made sure he got the ovation he
deserved."
