Former Liverpool star Michael Owen wrote in his column for the Mirror that he regretted moving to Newcastle United when he wanted to return to Liverpool.
The 2001 Ballon d’Or winner left Liverpool to join Real Madrid in 2004, then almost re-signed for the Reds the following summer.
The striker instead joined Newcastle for a then club-record fee of £16.8 million and was offered a weekly salary of £120,000.
He eventually spent four years at St. James’ Park, scoring 30 goals in 79 matches.
Shearer was not particularly pleased with Owen’s comments about his move to Newcastle, with fhe former England international posting a video of his ex-teammate saying:
All I did at the end of my career, the last six or seven years, I hated it. I couldn’t wait to retire for most of it.
Shearer’s caption reply was “yes Michael, we thought that also, whilst on £120k a week….. @nufc”
Twitter: Yes Michael, we thought that also, whilst on £120k a week….. @nufc https://t.co/bzzEDdjdN1 https://t.co/I4CdsQcKKr (@alanshearer)
Owen retaliated by saying that the former Newcastle man was “inches away” from signing for Liverpool when he was benched by the late Sir Bobby Robson:
Twitter: Not sure you are as loyal to Newcastle as you make out mate. I distinctly remember you being inches away from signi… https://t.co/P7A32alZdu (@themichaelowen)
Many fans have given their say regarding the feud between the two former Newcastle players – some have slammed Owen, but many have supported him, too.
Twitter: @alanshearer @NUFC Liverpool fans don’t like him, Man United fans were never going to like him, Madrid fans weren’t… https://t.co/Za1YO0tNNN (@AdamLeeLFC)
Twitter: @alanshearer @NUFC Well said Al. Even now he’s all about the money, trying to bring others down to get book sales.… https://t.co/NhBWjME4hI (@toonarmy_com)
Twitter: @alanshearer @NUFC Now this is a captain and a true professional. Owen is classic representation of all money and n… https://t.co/NRXW8tDQ71 (@MaxwellA98)
Twitter: @themichaelowen Now you’re here and tweeting – are you really comfortable with what you have written in this book a… https://t.co/u8LbauYNkD (@SophieBarley)
Twitter: @themichaelowen Assuming you’re right, @alanshearer wanted to leave NUFC, but he never did on the other hand you pl… https://t.co/4ULj78Z97a (@Kloppology_FC)
Read Liverpool Verdict
There is thought to be plenty to say from the ex-Liverpool man in the book, which is released on Thursday.
Neither Owen or Shearer have come out of their Twitter spat covered in glory, although the latter has arguably come off worse.
There was no need for him to start the war of words, even if Owen speaks negatively of him in the book.
