Michael Owen makes his feelings clear on Wayne Rooney as debate continues

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The England forward proved devastatingly effective throughout his early stint with the Reds, experiencing what would become the finest period of his career.

Owen managed 158 strikes across 297 matches for the club during an eight-year spell and claimed the Ballon d'Or aged 22 in 2001.

Owen retorted: "At 17 I scored 18 PL goals (winning the Golden Boot), Wazza scored 6.



At 18 I again scored 18 goals (again winning the Golden Boot and coming 4th in The Ballon d'Or), Wazza scored 9.

In our opening 7 seasons, Wazza didn't outscore me once (117 goals v 80).

"In which time I became the 2nd youngest Ballon d'Or winner ever.

I was light years clear of anything in my age group – anything and probably anything around my age group in England," he said.

"I got into the Liverpool team and won the Golden Boot at 17?

Forget all the achievements, there will never ever be a two-time Golden Boot winner as a 17-year-old and 18-year-old in the Premier League."

He added: "I sort of split my career into two: almost Liverpool and maybe Madrid, and then afterwards, because I just wasn't the same.