09 Robbie Fowler

Fowler

Who remembers Rocket Robbie?

It's 20 years since Fowler's double stunned Old Trafford

On Saturday 12 October this year the Reds make the short journey down the East Lancs Road for a 5.30pm showdown with great rivals Manchester United. We've had some fabulous wins at Old Trafford down the years, but arguably the two best Liverpool FC goals at United in the Premier League era were scored not in a famous victory but a thrilling draw. Two decades ago the name on everyone's lips was Eric Cantona – but the real star of the show was Robbie Fowler.

The contrast could not have been more complete. In the home side: the Gallic genius just back from a long suspension, all turned-up collar and attitude. For the visitors: the Scouse striking sensation, still only 20, peroxide hair and proud!

Sunday 1 October 1995. Eight games into the 1995/96 season – the fourth-ever in the Premier League – and Manchester United and Liverpool FC were third and fourth respectively in the table, with Kevin Keegan's Newcastle United setting the pace at the top. Fowler had actually started the campaign on the bench as boss Roy Evans paired £8.5m signing Stan Collymore alongside Ian Rush. But Collymore picked up a knock and Robbie roared in to replace him. By the time of the Old Trafford clash, he'd scored half-a-dozen goals including four in the previous Premier League fixture – a 5-2 thrashing of Bolton Wanderers at Anfield.

Twenty-four hours before the United game, Eric's ban came to an end and all the media focus was on his return against his club's old enemy. And only two minutes into the game the French ace began writing his own script, creating the opening goal for team-mate Nicky Butt. The whole stadium – minus the normally vocal contingent of away fans due to construction work – was purring.

Robbie, though, wasn't following that particular plot. Just after the half-hour mark he bore down on goal and unleashed an absolute rocket that beat Manchester United keeper Peter Schmeichel at his near post and almost tore down the netting. He later explained: “A few minutes before, I was in the same position and crossed it to Ian Rush. The second time, I think Schmeichel and a few others were expecting the same thing. But I saw a little gap and, to be honest, I just whacked the ball. I’d be lying if I said I aimed it to go where it went, but I did aim to score. It was the first goal I’d scored for Liverpool at Old Trafford, and on Eric Cantona’s comeback it kept the United supporters quiet for a while!”

His second, on 52 minutes, was equally magnificent. Again in the left channel, he shrugged off the presence of Manchester United full-back Gary Neville to reach team-mate Michael Thomas' pass, then used his supposed weaker right foot to dink a delightful finish over a stunned-again Schmeichel. “You can't stop him!” declared Sky Sports commentator Ian Darke. In the end Eric still had the last say, converting a spot-kick after Jamie Redknapp had brought down Ryan Giggs, and a hugely entertaining contest finished 2-2. But as one headline rightly declared: 'Cantona's back…but Fowler steals his show'.