Michael Owen: Celebrating a Career of Memorable Goals

With Michael Owen announcing his decision to retire at the end of the season there is no better time to look back and reminisce on some of the striker's most important goals for club and country.

In this first video we have a memorable moment as Owen scores his first goal for Liverpool on his debut for the club. It is May 6, 1997 and Roy Evans' side are challenging for the league title with Manchester United. Trailing to Wimbledon, the 17-year-old is thrown on and makes an instant impact as he races past the final defender and slides the ball home. It was a sight Liverpool fans would come accustomed to over the next seven years.

The 2000/01 season was a memorable one for Liverpool fans as Gerard Houllier's side won three cup competitions but it was the FA Cup final that holds significance for Owen. Trailing 1-0 to Arsenal, and being completely outplayed, there seemed little chance of the Reds getting back in the game. Owen equalised after 83 minutes and on 88 did this.....

Another cup final and another late goal for Owen. This time it was Manchester United on the receiving end as Sir Alex Ferguson's side pushed for a late equaliser. Rio Ferdinand's mistake would be capitalised on and the Liverpool striker raced through to coolly slot past a helpless Fabien Barthez.

Owen's spell at Real Madrid may not be looked back upon as a huge success but he did score 16 goals in his one season at the club. None more significant than this goal in El Clásico which came after a wonderful raking pass from his England colleague David Beckham.

Liverpool fans may now soften to Owen but his decision to join Manchester United made him a hated figure on Merseyside. However, he will always be remembered by the red half of Manchester thanks to his [deep into injury time] winner against Manchester City.

On the international stage there was an early chance to watch Owen in action when he appeared for the England schoolboys against Brazil in front of then England manager Terry Venables who was impressed with the way "he stuck it in the net".

Possibly the most memorable goal of his entire career came at the 1998 World Cup when he was just 18-years-old. Glenn Hoddle took a chance on Owen and his faith was repaid against Argentina when the young striker skipped past Roberto Ayala and Jose Chamot before side footing the ball into the top corner. What a goal.

Beating Germany is special, but thrashing them in their back yard and scoring a hat-trick must have made it that much sweeter for Owen. This was the Liverpool striker at his lethal best. The defence simply could not live with his pace and movement as he became the first man to net a treble against Germany since Geoff Hurst in the 1966 World Cup Final.