Feature'I didn't even look at the contract' - 20 years on: Robbie Fowler's return to Liverpool, in his own words

I am who I am because of Liverpool. It's as simple as that.

I always wanted to be a footballer. I worked hard at my game and ever since I was a kid I was set on the idea of being a professional. I felt like it was up to me about what level I was going to reach.

When you think of the great players Liverpool have had over the years… I was a local lad, and I think a lot of people on the Kop maybe saw a little bit of themselves in me.

I'll never forget the support I received as a young kid coming through - it definitely helps if you score goals!

One minute I was in school and training with the reserves, the next I was thrust into the first team. It probably helped I didn't have a lot of time to think about everything that was happening.

Thankfully, I was a confident lad, and felt I was level-headed enough to deal with it all.

I'm not actually sure if many people know this, but in the first year of the Premier League I was a substitute against Tottenham for the last game of the season.

It was a crazy game that ended 6-2 to Liverpool after a flurry of late goals. In hindsight, I'm glad I never got on the pitch - I wasn't ready then.

You obviously need talent, but I believe you need luck as well and I had a bit of that.

People always ask if I felt any added pressure being from the city... pressure? It's not pressure playing football. I loved it! If I wasn't getting paid for it, I would've been doing it anyway.

I don't think I ever went into a football game worried or fazed or focused on anything other than myself, and I think that is a good thing.

I was obviously given the nickname 'God' by the supporters - I just want to clarify... I don't call myself that!

I was just maybe one of the lucky ones who got christened by the fans. When you think of all the legends and superstars who have played for Liverpool over the years, it's such an honour.

It's funny that it's the local little skinny kid who got that particular one. And, let's be honest, it's probably the best nickname in football!

As a player, regardless of what level you're playing at, you want to be remembered for winning trophies. I grew up desperately wanting to win the FA Cup because that's what football was all about back then.

The League Cup in 1995 was my first trophy and medal so I hold that one quite dear - and I made my debut in that competition as well.

I was lucky to play a part in the treble-winning season in 2001. As much as I left the club shortly after that, I felt like I more than played my part. I scored in the League Cup and UEFA Cup finals and came on when we were 1-0 down in the FA Cup final as well.

It was special to achieve those things for Liverpool. I obviously left after that for a little over four years.

I wanted to play - I hated not playing and I know I wasn't the easiest person to be around when I wasn't, but I'd never apologise for that because I believed in my own ability.

I hope this doesn't come across wrong, but I maybe took playing for Liverpool the first time a little bit for granted because I just didn't know anything else other than being in that environment.

Everyone remembers watching the 2005 Champions League semi-final against Chelsea at Anfield, but I probably remember it better than anyone else.

After that match was the first time I had met Rafa Benitez. I was in a bar in Liverpool following the game - I actually think it was a club function that I had managed to sneak myself into.

It took a little bit of Dutch courage, if I am totally honest - but I was quickly in his ear and telling him how much I'd love to come back.

He fobbed me off at first, but it was less than a year later that I got a phone call out of nowhere when I was at Manchester City. I'd probably not been playing as much as I'd have liked for one reason or another.

I was actually on the golf course at the time, and I genuinely thought it was a wind-up at first and someone was doing an impersonation. I just left my golf clubs with my mates straight away.

Getting that chance to return to Liverpool was the best thing that ever happened to me in football. It was better than winning trophies. I got the chance to pull on a red shirt again and I probably appreciated it more.

Rafa had said to me that he wanted me to come in and energise the players and the club and give everyone a lift - I'd like to think I did that. My goals-per-game ratio wasn't too bad!

I knew I wasn't going to play as much, I knew my place in that scenario - but when you go to other places and experience other things, you realise how special and big Liverpool is.

Getting the chance to come back was something I really savoured. I couldn't wait to get that shirt back on and run around in front of the fans at Anfield.

It sounds crazy. But I didn't even have a medical - and I didn't even look at the contract I was signing. My initial return was a six-month deal, and I had struggled with a few injuries - so I was probably glad looking back!

People might say I am a little bit clichéd here, but I genuinely wasn't bothered about what was written on the piece of paper. I wasn't coming back for money. I never said this at the time, but if they'd have asked whether I would've done it for nothing, I would have - it meant I was coming home.

Liverpool is Liverpool and when you get that chance to pull the shirt on as a homegrown player and you've been appreciated like I was in my first spell, I just wanted that again more than anything.

I'd like to think that showed in the way I played. I didn't score as many goals, obviously - but I'll stand by the fact I appreciated the club more than in my first spell. I played for big clubs after Liverpool, but with no disrespect at all, they're just not Liverpool.

It's crazy how quickly things change. I never thought I'd play for Liverpool ever again when I attended the Champions League final as a supporter in Istanbul.

I mean, everyone dreams, don't they? And I had been man-marking Rafa a few weeks earlier, like I mentioned! But I was just wishing and hoping and only months later it was a reality.

The reception I received when I came on against Birmingham on my return will live with me forever. The noise and Anfield crowd that night were incredible.

I'll be honest, I get myself on the computer and have a little look every now and then to make myself feel good! It was such a special moment. I think the Liverpool fans are by far the best anyway when you see the passion and the flags and banners.

But that night a lot of it was directed at me and I appreciate it and I loved it. It hurt that I never got to say goodbye after my first spell - I'm so thankful that I had that chance.

As a local Liverpool lad, when you get a chance to play and score goals for the club it makes it more special. And when you have such a good affinity with the supporters it's even better.

I scored 12 goals on my return and one of those stands out. I passed Sir Kenny Dalglish on the all-time goalscorers list, which was one of the greatest things ever.

When you think of the best Liverpool players, you obviously talk about Steven Gerrard and 'King Kenny'. It was special because I know what Kenny is, who Kenny is and everything that he has done for the football club.

I'm obviously proud of all the goals I scored for Liverpool and I'm extremely proud of being in the top 10 of the Premier League too. But it probably irks me I didn't get more!

Towards the end I was a bit-part player, and it kills me saying that. I know if I'd have had more games I would've scored more. I sound like a typical striker, don't I?

I would've loved to stay at Liverpool forever - but things happen in football.