FOWLER CONFIRMS REDS EXIT
Rafael Benitez described striker Robbie Fowler as "an inspiration" as he began the process of ushering the old out of Anfield, while bringing in the new.
Fowler, 32, has been given the expected news that his contract will not be renewed in the summer, but boss Benitez has told the local hero that he will start the match on Sunday at home to Charlton, to allow him to say an emotional farewell to the Kop.
But the chance of goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek being able to do the same have been hit by injury with the Polish 'keeper, who also leaves Anfield this summer when his contract runs out, having picked up a groin injury in training.
As Jose Reina is ruled out by a shoulder injury, Benitez will almost certainly give young Italian 'keeper Daniele Padelli his debut, with reserve team youngster Dave Roberts on the bench.
But with Fowler and Dudek beginning the exodus from Anfield, Benitez was able to announce the signing of 20-year-old Brazilian Under-20 international Lucas Leiva from Gremio.
Leiva will join Liverpool in the summer. An attacking midfielder, Benitez has beaten off a string of Spanish and English clubs for the youngster.
The fee has not been disclosed but it is around £5million and the player could go straight into the first-team squad next season.
But as another South American prepares to say hello to Merseyside, Fowler will bid a tearful goodbye to Anfield this weekend.
Benitez said: "Robbie understands. He has experience and he knows he has not played a lot of games. But I want to give him the chance to say goodbye to the fans.
"Obviously he wants to stay, but I have had to decide. He is a very good professional and he has contributed so much. He has always been training hard and ready when I want to use him, I can only say 'thank you' to him for what he has given the club."
Benitez would not be drawn on speculation that he may well be interested in Michael Owen again.
But he was happy to talk about Leiva. He said: "He has won the golden boot in Brazil last season, he is an U20 international and he will play in the U20 World Cup.
"He is a fantastic midfielder for the present as well as the future."
But Sunday will clearly be Fowler's day.
Benitez said: "I have been watching him in training this week and you can see how good he is in front of goal.
"He will play against Charlton and maybe he will score the winner in the Champions League final, that would be a fitting way to go."
Benitez added: "I hope to still see some more goals from Robbie. It is always difficult to tell a player his contract will not be renewed, but even more so because it is Robbie.
"But he is experienced and he understands the situation. He has great quality as a finisher.
"When you see him working with the rest of the strikers you can see what an inspiration he is to them. He has something to offer because young players can learn so much.
"Maybe there should be a DVD of his goals and finishing ability for youngsters to watch. They would really learn.
"We will need to replace him, to bring in someone who can score more goals. We would like someone who can score 20 goals in a season.
"I did not talk about his future to him because his future now is to play against Charlton and be involved against Milan."
Fowler, speaking to the Liverpool Echo, said: "Obviously it will be an emotional day for me but I want everyone to know I am still completely focused on what I see as two very important games ahead for the club.
"Firstly I want to play well and win against Charlton to help us finish third, and then there is the preparation for and hopefully playing a part in the Champions League final.
"I will think about everything else after that because I don't want anything to interfere with such an important match.
"I also want people to know I have not even thought about my future beyond Liverpool."
He added: "The manager explained the situation to me this week and I wasn't a bit surprised to be honest.
"But everyone knows I've treated every game back at Liverpool in exactly the same way and given all I could for the team, and that's going to be the case in the last two matches as well."
"At least this time I will get a chance to say goodbye properly because I was gutted the way it happened last time."
Fowler first left Anfield under a cloud to join Leeds when Gerard Houllier was manager.
He added: "Since I've been back the support I have had from the fans has been tremendous. It's been even better than it was first time around.
"Maybe you appreciate it even more when you've been away and missed it so much, but I'll never forget the reception they gave me and will always be thankful for it.
"I just hope I can finish with a few goals and a Champions League final win. That will be the perfect way to end the season for me."
PA Sport
