Aguero admits he looked up to Owen

SERGIO Aguero admits he admired Liverpool as a child growing up in Argentina, with Michael Owen his favourite striker.

Aguero has been City’s main man for eight years, winning four Premier League titles in the process. His latest league triumph came at the expense of Liverpool, who were searching for their first in the competition.

But resurfaced quotes from Aguero’s 2014 book add a new dimension to the rivalry between the two sides as he admits he ‘always liked’ Liverpool and striker Owen.

Former England international Owen has made headlines in recent weeks for various claims in his own book, including his thoughts on moving to United after being a Liverpool player, and his underwhelming spell at Newcastle under Alan Shearer.

Owen revealed his own admiration for Aguero in his book when discussing the finishing of United striker Marcus Rashford.

He argued: “Players like Robbie Fowler, Aguero or Harry Kane, these people who are obsessed with goals. I don’t think he is obsessed with goals.”

It seems the respect is mutual, as Aguero wrote in his autobiography Born To Rise: “I’ve always liked Liverpool, maybe because I used to play for Independiente who also played in red. As a kid, I wanted to be Michael Owen and when I saw him score that goal for England against Argentina I thought ‘you little sh**’!

“Even aged 10, I knew they couldn’t allow him that much space. He was a terrific player at that time.”