Robbie Fowler: I sometimes think I've needed a bit of an arm around me...

An image has stuck for most of my career and it isn't flattering.

Robbie Fowler

flattering stuck careers

A goal is a goal no matter which end it goes in. I'm pleased to get off the mark again.

Robbie Fowler

ends goal matter

Nothing had changed in my routine, except that when I went down the chippy and got me special fried rice, it would be wrapped in a newspaper that had my picture all over it.

Robbie Fowler

routine special would-be

The treble parade would have been the most perfect moment of my footballing life, but for the two people standing behind me, clearly already plotting their next move.

Robbie Fowler

next-move two moving

If you pray enough for things, I am proof that they can happen. I feel like a kid on Christmas day now, every day. It's something I have wanted for a long time and I am as happy as anyone to be here. It is great to be back at my first love.

Robbie Fowler

first-love christmas kids

The best player EVER (Leo Messi) without a shadow, if you didn't think/know already.

Robbie Fowler

shadow player thinking

Honest to god, I'm so happy it's frightening! I'm just so chuffed - that's all I can say.

Robbie Fowler

frightening honest england

Time always seems long to the child who is waiting - for Christmas, for next summer, for becoming a grownup: long also when he surrenders his whole soul to time and I am as happy as anyone to be here. It is great to be back at my first love.

Robbie Fowler

christmas summer children

After spending so much money Liverpool were a lot further behind the leaders when Houllier left than before he arrived

Robbie Fowler

spending behinds leader

I get paranoid about people staring at me. Even now I don't deal with people looking at me. I can't do it sometimes. I can't go out. I don't know how to react when people stare.

Robbie Fowler

paranoid sometimes people

As a young kid, I wasn't really interested at that stage - getting financial advice was far from my mind. I was focused on playing football. But I got onboard with this financial adviser and I heeded his advice, and that was my smartest money decision.

Robbie Fowler

decision football kids

I was a boy, suddenly treated like the men and expected to act like them.

Robbie Fowler

he-man men boys

Anyone who doesn't learn from Ian Rush needs shooting.

Robbie Fowler

shooting needs

To say that I haven't been motivated to play is absolute nonsense.

Robbie Fowler

nonsense england play

I don't want people losing respect for me as a player. I want to go out in every game and perform to the highest level. I have no retirement plans. I've had a lot of injuries but I want to continue playing.

Robbie Fowler

player games retirement

The money I try and earn is for my family. It's not for me. It's always about my family.

Robbie Fowler

my-family trying

I used to hate Ian Rush when I was young, because I was a devout Evertonian in those days, and he seemed to score every time Liverpool played against us. It's strange to think he used to support Everton too when he was a kid. He was brilliant to me at Anfield always giving me good advice.

Robbie Fowler

hate kids thinking

Maybe if I'd not been able to kick a ball it would have been different, but I doubt it because all my mates are decent blokes now, just normal fellas with families.

Robbie Fowler

balls different doubt

Houllier did what he had to do – I’m not the first person to be treated like a disposable commodity

Robbie Fowler

treated commodity firsts

If you pray for things, I am proof that they can happen. I want to repay the manager's faith in bringing me back.

Robbie Fowler

england praying want

I sometimes think I've needed a bit of an arm around me in my career - which I've not always got from certain managers and coaches who didn't understand me.