Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler claims he was better than ex-Reds team-mate and Ballon d'Or winner Michael Owen

The pair shared five-and-a-half seasons together spearheading the Reds attack before Fowler moved on to Leeds United in 2001. But despite Owen's Ballon d'Or recognition and greater number of caps for England, Fowler always believed he was a better player than his younger counterpart.

Speaking to the Up Front With Simon Jordan podcast, Fowler explained: "I think there was a perception that Michael thought more of England than his club. I thought more of my club than England. If I'd have played more for England it could have been the other way round."

"In terms of football people can think what they like but I always thought I was better than Michael, even when he was coming through. Michael was quicker than me, but every other aspect of being a striker — I genuinely think I was better. Michael could sit here and say exactly the same thing [about himself], but that is my opinion. That is my self-confidence."

Fowler, four years Owen's senior, had already established himself as one of English football's most natural goal-scorers when Owen burst on to the scene as a precocious 17-year-old in 1997.

While Owen's speed saw him called up for England's 1998 World Cup squad, where he scored a memorable goal against Argentina and went on to win 89 caps, Fowler struggled to breakthrough for England, making just 26 appearances with the likes of Alan Shearer and Teddy Sheringham preferred.

Looking at the duo's Liverpool careers there's very little to choose between the two with Fowler scoring 120 goals in 236 appearances while Owen hit 118 goals in his 216 outings for the Reds. The pair played together 92 times while at Anfield together.

Fowler's comments have sparked a debate with thousands of families from Merseyside and beyond now likely to spend most of Christmas Day debating who was the better of the legendary duo.