Graeme Souness was determined to keep the wraps on Liverpool’s teenage sensation, Robbie Fowler. The 18-year-old striker made a sensational first-team debut with two goals in a Coca Cola cup tie against Fulham which eased pressure on Liverpool who had lost four out of previous five games.
After the Merseyside derby, an angry Souness axed Ronnie Whealen, Steve Nicol, Mark Walters and Steve McManaman after the derby defeat but he was determined that like Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson’s careful handling of young Wizard Ryan Giggs, Fowler was not going to be exposed too soon to the media spotlight.
Graeme Souness said “I thought Robbie had a very good game. I have to play down his performance because its only one game. We think he is certainly one for the future. He’s a very good player and he’s going to get better. He’s a young boy, from Toxteth, he joined us from school, and he still lives at home.”