Robbie Fowler exclusive: Nothing beats winning a trophy

Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has urged Jurgen Klopp’s Class of 2017 to embrace the challenge of becoming winners as they prepare to see off Plymouth in tonight’s FA Cup third round replay at Home Park.

Fowler collected his first winners’ medal as a Liverpool player in the same competition back in 1995 and looks back on the Wembley win against Bolton as one of his career highlights.

In an era when securing a top four finish in the Premier League – and the entry to the Champions League that comes with it – has become a priority for most clubs, Fowler suggests what should be the first target for all players is being overlooked.

“I got into this game to be a winner and to get medals that confirmed I was a winner and when I look back on my career, the best days are the ones where we actually won trophies,” begins the former striker who scored 183 goals for Liverpool and won five major honours with the Anfield club.

“That is what you dream about when you come into this game and I was lucky to win a few more trophies in my Liverpool career after that.

“We all appreciate that qualifying for the Champions League is important in the modern game because the money on offer in that competition vital to all the top clubs, but you ask all the Manchester United players who won trophies every year under Sir Alex Ferguson whether they look back on top four finishes with any pride and I bet they don’t. They remember the days they won the big prizes, which is what all players should do.

“Sport is about winning and that’s why I say Liverpool’s season could still be successful if they finish fifth in the Premier League and win the FA Cup. Of course that would be successful, no one could argue it wasn’t.”

Fowler reflects on the 1995 League Cup final with fond memories, as two Steve McManaman goals secured victory for a Liverpool side managed by Roy Evans.

“I remember walking around the pitch at the end of the game with the trophy and thinking this is what it is all about,” he added.

“You are there with your mates, you have a winners’ medal you can keep forever more and there are memories that will live with you forever.

“The faces of the Liverpool fans as we went around the pitch at the end, coach journey home the trophy on board…they all stay with you.

“When you start out as a kid wanting to be a footballer, the dream is never to get into the top four and maybe get through the group stages of the Champions League. Medals are not given out for that and whatever you can win in your career, you should go out and get it.”

Fowler’s fellow Liverpool goal scoring great John Aldridge echoes those sentiments, as he backed Klopp’s side to take a step towards Wembley in Wednesday’s semi-final first leg against Southampton at Anfield.

“Trying to win the Premier League is obviously a priority for Klopp and Liverpool, but they have a real chance to get a trophy in the cabinet in the EFL Cup,” Aldridge told sundayworld.com.

“Trophy triumphs should be the pinnacle of any footballer’s career and when I look back on my playing days, winning the League Cup with Oxford in 1985 and the FA Cup with Liverpool four years later are real highlights for me.

“I wonder how modern players who never win anything feel when they retire after notched up a few top four finishes. Was that really your dream when you got into the game? I doubt it, but nothing in football is what it used to be in my playing days, which are not so long ago.

“The huge wages players earn these days might compensate for any disappointment they might have in their careers, but sport should be about winning trophies and that idea has been lost in an era when money is all the matters to clubs and players.

“I still think they are a long shot to win the league, with Chelsea firm favourites despite their defeat at Tottenham, so Liverpool should give everything they have go to try and win this trophy.

“A Wembley final against Manchester United could be on the agenda if they get through this Southampton game and that would get everyone excited. “If Klopp could come through and win his first trophy at Liverpool, it could be the start of something very special in 2017.”