http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...060130-0937.htm PARRY: SIGNING FOWLER ISN'T A PR EXERCISE Paul Rogers 30 January 2006 Liverpool Chief Executive Rick Parry today insisted that the signing of Robbie Fowler on Friday was not a PR exercise to appease fans who worship the striker who made his name at the club during the '90s. While supporters on Merseyside continued to idolise the Toxteth-born forward even while he was playing for Leeds and later Manchester City, Parry was keen to point out the transfer that shocked world football had nothing to do with sentiment. "Signing Robbie has obviously given everyone at the club a major lift but I want to make it clear that this isn't a PR exercise," claimed Parry. "Robbie's return is down to Rafa. It was his decision to bring in Robbie and he's done it because he believes that he can improve us as a team. Rafa hasn't let his heart rule his head because he's not that type of manager. This transfer has happened because Rafa believes Robbie can offer us something that we haven't currently got at the club. "As I think everyone is aware, one of our key criteria in signing players is how much they want to join Liverpool Football Club. In Robbie's case, I can honestly say I don't think I've ever seen so much enthusiasm ever shown in football. He's delighted to be here and we're very, very happy to have him here. "In fact, I think if we'd put a contract in front of Robbie and asked him to play for no money, he would have signed straight away. He wanted to join us that much. How much both parties wanted the transfer to happen is evident in how quickly everything has come about. It all happened within the 24 hours. "We were very fortunate that Stuart Pearce and Manchester City helped the deal go through so quickly. It was a unique situation because of Robbie's love of Liverpool Football Club. Manchester City were brilliant in being good enough not to stand in the way of Robbie fulfilling his desire to pull on a Liverpool shirt again. "In a way it seems like the perfect deal because we've signed a player on a free transfer who absolutely adores the club. If everything works out well for both parties, it really will be the perfect deal." While Parry made no secret of his delight in seeing Fowler back at Anfield, the Liverpool Chief Executive was quick to warn fans not to expect too much too soon from a player the Kop first christened 'God' over a decade ago. "I don't think it's going to be possible to control the burden of expectation that's going to land on Robbie's shoulders when he plays his first game but I would ask fans to be patient. Let's not expect too much. He's here to help the team improve but he's not the messiah. A great striker never loses his ability to find the net but he's not the 19-year-old that was scoring hat-tricks every week when he first made his name at Liverpool. Let's please give him time to settle in again without putting the whole weight of the club on his shoulders straight away." http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...060130-0953.htm RAFA HINTS THAT FOWLER COULD FACE BRUM Mark Platt 30 January 2006 Rafael Benitez has hinted that he could hand Robbie Fowler his second Liverpool debut when Birmingham City visit Anfield on Wednesday. After seeing his side secure their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 2-1 win over Portsmouth on Sunday, Benitez is now turning his attentions to the Premiership and contemplating whether to play his most recent signing against the men from St Andrews. The Reds boss is in no doubt that Fowler has the ability to step straight into the Liverpool starting eleven but admits he must check on his fitness before making a decision. "Robbie is a great finisher, which is why we signed him. If we continue our attacking play, especially at home, controlling games and creating chances, he will score a lot of goals for us," says Benitez. "My scouts told me that brining him in would be a good option and as soon as I started talking to him I knew he wanted to come back. "I could see the passion he has for the club. Of course, I also know about the quality he has. But what impressed me was the passion he has as a person, that he wants to play for Liverpool and score goals for Liverpool. "What he needs to do is to get fit and improve his physical condition but he is working really hard and focusing on that. We just have to see how fit he is to decide whether he plays against Birmingham. "The fact that he wanted to work with the reserves indicates his commitment and while Birmingham on Wednesday night might be too early you could see him wearing a Liverpool shirt again within the week. "I think he is going to be a big asset for us. I know he is glad to have signed and has taught me a new English phrase about being 'over the moon'."
