Robbie Fowler Exclusive: None Of Liverpool’s Signings Are Living Up To Price Tag So Far

In an exclusive interview with Adventure Gamers, Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler said that NONE of his former club’s summer signings are living up to their price tag yet. He also believes Erling Haaland will break Alan Shearer’s Premier League goalscoring record if he stays at Manchester City. 

Here are some of the key stories from the interview:

• Liverpool summer signings are not living up to price tags
• Haaland will 100% break Shearer’s Premier League record
• I was MAD that I didn’t get called up to England’s 2006 World Cup squad
• Man Utd still haven’t improved yet from last season
• Even Evertonians look up to Kenny Dalglish in Liverpool

Adventure Gamers: If you had to build a Dream Five aside team based on all the players you’ve played with, one goalkeeper, one defender, two midfielders, one striker – who are you choosing?

Robbie Fowler: This might surprise you, but we actually asked this question quite a lot. If you bear with me, I’ll tell you the reason why I picked my five side team. You’ve probably spoken to footballers over the years, there’s so many egos and if you don’t get picked then they’re straight on the phone asking you why they’re not playing. So I’m picking a Scouser team. Just so I know that I’m looking after all my mates. Look, you’re all good enough, but you’re not Scousers. So, my Scouser five side team, at goalkeeper Tony Warner. He obviously played at Liverpool for a while with us. I’d have Jamie Carragher, I’d have Steven Gerrard, I’d have Steve McManaman. For Scouse forwards, I think there’s obviously a few to choose. I can go with John Aldridge, I can go with a few others. But look, I want to play in that team, so I’m picking myself. I know that’s that ego that I was talking about, but I’d like to play in a five side with those players. I mean, Tony Bonus, Tony Warner’s nickname was ‘Bonus’, he was a big keeper, so I don’t think many people would be scoring goals past him in five-a-side. Then you’ve got the leadership of Stevie G, just controlling the pitch. And the guile and the skill of Stevie McManaman. It’s not a bad team. No room for David James in there? Well, he’s not Scouse, is he? Ordinarily yes, of course I’d pick Jamo. I have a lot of time for Jamo. He’s obviously a really good friend of mine. But unfortunately he wasn’t born in the Liverpool area. Can we have sub goalkeepers? He can be my sub. 

Adventure Gamers: Back in the day, which console did you play on most? Were you like an N64 guy, what was your era? 

Robbie Fowler: I’ll be honest with you, I was probably a little bit later-school. Don’t get me wrong, I played on the Commodore and the Nintendos and all them, but I was so football driven and so football mad, I was forever playing football. So my first console probably would’ve been a PlayStation. I was quite into the platform-game games. You mentioned the Nintendo 64. I played a few times with the football game, Sensible Soccer. There was a way of scoring all the time, all the same goals. I was mainly into the sports ones. So I grew up with the Grand Prix ones, the Madden and NFL games. Certainly the golf ones. I’ll be honest with you, I do like the football games, but it probably mirrors my own career if you like, because when your fingers aren’t as quick, you don’t really enjoy it. That’s probably similar to my career. So when you get a little bit older and your body’s not as quick, then you tend to not enjoy them as much. If I get into a game now, it’ll be the golfing games. I like a bit of golf. So does Tony Bellew, have you ever played? I have. I played with him for a charity game actually. I can say because he’s not here, but I did beat him. But listen, it was for charity, so charity was the real winner.

Adventure Gamers: Do you think the Liverpool players are struggling to play together? 

When you think of the team as well, they’re still trying to gel, they’re still trying to get into the rhythm of things with new players coming in. Ultimately when you think of the last three games that they’ve reverted to type and looked a little bit better, that tells you that the players are still trying to gel. In fact, when you’ve got Eketike, when you’ve got Isak, when they’re fit and firing, the manager has a headache. How does he play them or how does he fit all these plays into the system? I’m sure before the season started and these players were in, the managers and the sporting directors thought that there was a plan in place to play all of them. You’ve got the likes of Writz as well. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a wonderful player. Hasn’t started brilliantly, but you can see the movement in him. You can see how good he is, the way he picks up the ball, the way he drifts in and out of space. I do like him. There’s going to be an absolute headache for the manager when everyone’s fit. But it’s up to him to find a solution in terms of the best formation to fit all these players in. That’s what a Liverpool supporter looks at, getting the players to all fit. They haven’t fitted in yet. I’m sure they will because good players adapt to whatever situations they’re in. People can say, well, they’ve had 11 games, but they haven’t had 11 games with all those players there. I think they’re still trying to fit into a role and a system that maximizes Liverpool’s potential. 

Adventure Gamers: Marc Guehi was rumored to come in in the summer – could you see him still being targeted in January?

Robbie Fowler: Look, I’ll be genuinely amazed if Liverpool don’t bring a centre-half in. I think Liverpool have needed a centre-half full stop. You look at Joe Gomez. Joe Gomez is a wonderful player and I really like Joe, but he hasn’t really put a long streak of games together because he’s just injured, through no fault of his own. So I think Liverpool are probably lacking a little bit of depth in the defensive area. God forbid anything happens to Virgil van Dijk, then it puts them in a real worrying position. So I think they do need to go out and get that centre-half. Obviously the link was Guehi in the summer, and yes, I think he’ll be a name on everyone’s lips again. He’s genuinely a fantastic player, and if you’re a good player and you’re linked with Liverpool, then I’m happy with that. Again, what we’re saying before about the squad, I do think we need a Fabinho type sitter in that park because as much as there are three fabulous players in there Mac Allister, Gravenberch and Szoboszlai, discipline would probably be the wrong phrase here ’cause I think they can do it. But you need that disciplined player to sort of sit there and try and control things. At times I think Liverpool have maybe been a bit too risky with the three midfielders going forward when it’s probably not on. I think they do need that little bit of stability in front of that back four.

Adventure Gamers: What have you made to Liverpool’s summer signings? 

Robbie Fowler: Now, I’ve got to be honest. I don’t think any of Liverpool’s summer signings are living up to their tag just yet, probably other than Ekitike. I think Ekitike has been the standout player. Wirtz looks fabulous. I genuinely think there’s definitely a player in there but he’s… maybe struggling is probably the wrong phrase again, but he’s maybe finding it difficult to come to terms with the speed and the energy of the Premier League if you like. 

Now you’ve got Frimpong, he’s probably been the player that has come in and it’s probably been difficult for him because everyone is thinking he’s going to replace Trent when he’s not really been in the same position as Trent for his career. Kerkez for me was a player who was outstanding in the Premier League last year. Hence the reason why he was picked in the Premier League team of the year. So there’s definitely potential with him as well. Is he ready now? I don’t know, but I think he will be. 

And obviously the other one is Isak. I genuinely think Isak will come good. He’s a brilliant player. I was excited when Liverpool bought him. I was excited when they were linked with him because I’ve seen him on numerous occasions for Newcastle and Sweden so I know how good of a player is. And the fact that he’s been in the Premier League and scored goals there tells you that he’s probably not as fit as he should be, but he’s a player who will adapt to the Premier League because he knows how to do that. 

Adventure Gamers: Wolves have appointed Rob Edwards as their new manager on a 3.5 contract following the sacking of Vitor Pereira. Is he the right man for the job?

Robbie Fowler: Well, it’s going to be tough, isn’t it? It really is. I’m not going to say he’s the man, but if anyone can, he can. I just look at the fact that Wolves are struggling. They’ve brought someone in with a Wolves background hoping that would galvanize the environment. But he’s been tremendous at Middlesbrough he really has. He was great for Luton in the Championship. That first spell they obviously get promoted, then obviously getting relegated and then losing his job on the back of nearly getting relegated again. He’s someone who’s had a tremendous start to his managerial career everywhere he’s been. So I think from a Wolves point of view, I think they are just hoping that he can galvanize these players and get everyone on board.

Adventure Gamers: Erling Haaland has scored 99 PL goals in just 108 games at 25 y/o. Is Alan Shearer’s goalscoring record potentially looking under serious threat? 

Robbie Fowler: If he stays at Manchester City, I think he will beat it. But that’s the million dollar question, isn’t it? Will he be at City for the amount of time that he will need to play enough games? I think he’s in pole position to get past Alan Shearer’s record. Shearer’s record is phenomenal, isn’t it? But the rate at which Erling Haaland scores goals, then you’re thinking yeah that really could be in danger. It genuinely could. He’s obviously playing for an absolutely world class team with world class players around him. So he’s going to get chances and goals every game or every other game, he really is. We’ve seen it this year, he’s got 14 goals in 11 games. So yes the rate at which he’s going, if he stays at City then he absolutely can do it.

Adventure Gamers: Neither Victor Gyokeres or Benjamin Sesko have exactly hit the ground running for their new clubs but which of them have looked better equipped for the Premier League to you?

Robbie Fowler: For me I think the obvious one is Gyokeres. I sort of fitted him into the Nunez camp if I’m being honest. I thought he would come over here and score goals but not the amount of goals that Arsenal want from him. I think he’s probably better suited to the Premier League for the simple fact that he has played in this country and he understands what is needed in terms of speed, energy and commitment. Whereas Sesko has probably struggled a little at times. He looks a little bit, I hope this doesn’t come across wrong, but he looks a bit of an academy player. I have no doubt he’s a good player. No one’s questioning his ability, but at the minute I think out of those two it’s Gyokeres by far who looks better equipped. Okay he’s been injured a little bit but he’s scored a few goals. He scored in the Champions League and he’s playing for a better team.

Adventure Gamers: There’s actually been talks of Danny Welbeck getting a call-up again to Englan, what do you think of that? 

Robbie Fowler: Well I think this is the problem England have had for years. If someone’s scoring goals and okay, Danny Welbeck has scored a few goals, but he’s not scored at an unbelievable rate. But if you are scoring goals and you’re doing well then yeah of course give him a chance. Age is just a number, isn’t it? If you’re young enough or old enough, it doesn’t matter. But if you start playing well, ironically, I don’t think I’ve ever said this but when I went back to Liverpool in 2006, I was genuinely a little bit gutted that I never even got mentioned for the World Cup squad then, because I was doing well. And at the time, I don’t think anyone was really head and shoulders or standing above me. I might be proven wrong and someone might come and listen to this and point someone out. But in terms of how I finished the season, my goals to games ratio was very good. So I was a little bit disappointed I wasn’t in that 2006 World Cup squad. I think I’d get a few more caps if I was playing now! Sven picked Theo Walcott and not me, I’m still disappointed! There were a lot of impressive youngsters and I was getting on but I still could have made that squad given how well I finished the season. 

Adventure Gamers: Is it Arsenal’s league to lose right now? Or are Man City going to prove a real threat? 

Robbie Fowler: I think obviously Arsenal are favourites by definition in terms of how they’ve played so far. Do you find Arteta’s style of play easy on the eye? I think it’s a case of needs must, we’ve seen Arsenal over the years try to mix it with them and realise that there’s going to be another way. And it might not be for everyone, but look if Arsenal gets a Premier League title, which is obviously what they’re crying out for, then I think everyone who is associated with Arsenal is going to be happy. So people can have opinions, people can have ideas about how they want to play, but if Arteta brings a trophy, then he’s well within his rights to play however he wants because that’s how he sees fit. You’ve got to say, defensively, they look unbelievable. I know they conceded two in the last game against Sunderland, but they are a team that are hard to break down and I think they’ve got goals in them. And they’ve got that work ethic that is what you need in the Premier League. So they will be there or thereabouts. But if I were them I wouldn’t be getting too carried away just yet with City just behind them. They were very impressive against Liverpool.

Adventure Gamers: Do you think Ruben Amorim has finally turned a corner at Manchester United? Will he survive the season? 

Robbie Fowler: Well, again, we don’t know. It depends how they get on doesn’t it? They’ve had ample chances to get rid of him, but he’s still there and they’ve given him that time to develop and create his team and his squad. Have they changed that much? I’ll be honest with you. I don’t think they have. I think if you look at the Premier League this year, they’ve got five wins from 11 games and at the same time last year they had four. So it’s not a massive change, is it? And don’t get me wrong, there are obviously good players within that squad, but they won’t be worrying any teams who are fighting for a Premier League trophy. And that’s not me being anti-Man Utd either, it’s being a realist who watches them play. I think they have got mistakes in them, as have a lot of teams in the Premier League and for me, they’re not one of the top teams just yet. I do like Amorim. I do like his style of football because that is the style of football I like to play. But I think the important thing is, that he has probably noticed himself, is that you need to get the players into those positions. So that is the big thing for him. Maybe he needs another transfer window. Maybe he needs’ another two windows to sort of get his real feel and his real identity into his players. Because I think it’s fairly obvious that he’s not 100% content with some of the players that he’s got. And it’s not really for me to decide, but it’s obviously noticeable. However, they have been better in recent weeks. But they’re only slightly better than what they were last year. It might not be the fans’ cup of tea but if there’s gradual improvements at least there’s that little bit of light. 

Adventure Gamers: Do you feel like Newcastle have kind of gone in the opposite direction at this point in time? They’ve struggled in the Premier League, but maybe that’s because they’re battling on two fronts with the Champions League as well. 

Robbie Fowler: Newcastle’s first XI would be an absolute nightmare for any team in the Premier League. I mean when you think of their midfield three with Guimaraes, Tonali and Joelinton, they’re as good as any midfield three in the Premier League. When they’re all fit and firing, they’re all going to play. I know they’ve had a few injuries themselves, and maybe they’re struggling to adapt as well. All the talk is about Liverpool players not adapting, but you’ve got Newcastle who brought in Elanga and obviously they got the Woltemade lad who’s obviously come in and scored a few goals. So it’s been a difficult one for Newcastle because you probably just don’t expect it. Because there’s not really that much of a change from last year. Maybe the depth of the squad is probably what’s keeping them away from doing well in the Premier League as well as the Champions League. But you know how it is up there in Newcastle, if you do well then you’re going to have the whole city 100% behind you, every single game. But they do seem to be struggling and I think it’s down to the depth of the squad. 

Adventure Gamers: Do you think they need to reinvest the Alexander Isak money after his transfer saga? 

Robbie Fowler: It’s hard for them to reinvest. Obviously Woltemade was a lot of money, but they still got a little bit more money and let’s not forget who owns Newcastle as well. Look I don’t know the situation in terms of the PSR with Newcastle. Whether they can or whether they can’t sign more players. But if they can then you’d be amazed if something is not done towards helping the team and buying new players. If they get that right, they will be a nightmare for a lot of teams. 

Adventure Gamers: Let’s talk a bit about your boyhood club Everton, have you been to the new stadium?

Robbie Fowler: If I’m honest, I’ve not been yet. But it is genuinely an impressive stadium, but I will have to get down at some point. But being an ex-Liverpool player I’ll probably have to wait for a Liverpool game. Jack Grealish has come in and I’m a massive fan of Jack and I think he’s probably someone that the club’s needed in all fairness. Someone who’s not afraid of taking the ball. Because I think at times in the past at Everton obviously you see how irate the crowd gets at times. And if you’re a player who’s not comfortable with taking the ball in certain areas then you probably shouldn’t be signing for Everton, but Jack is a player who can take it. So I think that’s been a breath of fresh air for the club. He’s comfortable. And Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Chelsea has done very well for them as well. He’s obviously a technical player and Iliman Ndiaye, he’s a very special player. And Everton fans won’t thank me for this but there will be time in the next few months where he’s linked to a big team because he is a great player. He’s been an absolute standout player this year, he’s comfortable on the ball, he can beat players and Everton have been crying out for someone like him for years. He’s doing that and unfortunately with Everton’s situation at the minute and where they are, when you get players like Ndiaye, they’re going to be a big target for other teams and unfortunately that’s just the way football is.

Adventure Gamers: Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh is being looked at as Salah’s replacement. Do you rate him?

Robbie Fowler: Liverpool will get linked with a lot of players won’t they and I saw they were linked with Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo. But Minteh has been very good for Brighton and that’s the beauty of the Premier League and that’s what I was saying before with Ndiaye. If you’ve got a player who’s playing well and performing, you’re going to get linked with other clubs. I think that’s just the nature of football. Would Brighton want him to go? No. Bournemouth won’t want Semenyo to leave and Everton won’t want Ndiaye to leave either. But they are going to get linked. I’m not sure if there is any truth in the links, but Salah’s not going to be around forever, even though he’s just signed a new contract. But anyone who Liverpool think can fit that bill, they’re going to try and sign them.

Adventure Gamers: Chelsea tried to sign you in 2000 but Liverpool rejected their £12m offer. Were you aware of their interest? 

Robbie Fowler: I knew Chelsea were in for me and I actually spoke to Gianluca Vialli about it and there were other clubs interested as well. I know Liverpool had tried to sell me and I did get a phone call from Vialli, asking me to come down and speak, but I actually didn’t want to leave. He phoned me and asked when I could come down to talk because he said that the clubs had agreed a deal, but I didn’t know. I said I’d have to speak to the club and the next day Liverpool denied that they’d tried to sell me. I knew for a fact that they did try and sell me but it obviously never materialized. But this is why I eventually went to Leeds because I knew that they were trying to sell me and I knew that I was going to be a big player there. 

Adventure Gamers: Arsene Wenger was a big fan of yours as well, wasn’t he? 

Robbie Fowler: I think Arsene Wenger tried to sign me twice. I’m not 100% sure but I did get told that by multiple people. But when you think of top Premier League managers like Jurgen Klopp and Sir Alex, you’ve got to put the likes of Arsene Wenger on that top list with Mourinho, Pep Guardiola and it’s nice that people like Wenger wanted to sign me. I must have been doing something right. 

Adventure Gamers: Have you watched the Kenny Dalglish documentary and if so what do you make of it? 

Robbie Fowler: You know what, no I haven’t to be honest. I’m waiting to sit on a plane to watch it as well, where I can sort of really just get into it. I know what it’s about with the highs and lows of what happens. And I can’t wait to see it because being from Liverpool, Kenny is someone that everybody looks up to. And I genuinely even say Evertonians as well. I mean for what he did at Hillsborough and how he sort of galvanized the city, it’s nothing short of incredible, an absolute superstar of a man and one I genuinely can call a friend. I can’t wait to see it and it’s definitely on the to-do list.