As someone who gave his heart and soul to the club, Robbie Fowler will always be a Liverpool legend, so it was inevitable when he published his autobiography it would be a bestseller.
Such is the esteem in which Fowler is held, it could have been a tome that was filled full of pictures and supporters would have lapped it up. But it was much more than that.
It didn't lack for views or forthright opinions and, ahead of the January sales, some continue to ring true.
Kop idol: Robbie Fowler was a Liverpool hero back in the day and he remains a fans' favouriteWhen Fowler was in his pomp in the mid to late 1990s, he was part of a Liverpool team that promised so much, one that could and should have won the Barclays Premier League in consecutive years, but they ultimately fell short.
Fowler, as he outlined in his book, has a theory.
'We had John Barnes, Ian Rush and Michael Thomas but when they were getting to the end, the manager was denied the funds to go out and bring in the players that he really wanted – the experienced players that could have taken us to the next level,' the former England star wrote.
'I remember vividly Roy Evans came to me and asked about two players he was trying to buy.
'Teddy Sheringham was one, when he was looking to leave Spurs but the board said they couldn't spend money on such an old player (he was 31). He went to Manchester United and won them the European Cup.
One that got away: Liverpool did not sign Teddy Sheringham and he went on to win the Champions League'The same happened with Marcel Desailly when he had to choose between Chelsea and Liverpool.
'If the gaffer had been able to get a couple of experienced players, we would have been a very different proposition.'
How, then, does this relate to the 'new' Liverpool?
Well, there is little doubt they are going to make an immediate mark in the transfer window.
Daniel Sturridge and Tom Ince are heading to Anfield from Chelsea and Blackpool respectively, as Brendan Rodgers continues to reshape his squad.
They fit the pattern of player that Fenway Sports Group have pursued since Rodgers became manager – young, with plenty of resale value and with their best years ahead of them. They are also under 23.
Target: Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge (left) could be heading to Anfield in the January transfer windowIt was put to Rodgers not so long ago whether he was restricted to buy players under 23 but he insisted there was no such barriers. The statistics, however, suggest something different.
Of the five players he has acquired, only one has been over 23 – and Oussama Assaidi celebrated his 24th birthday two days before signing on the dotted line at Anfield.
The others – Fabio Borini (21), Joe Allen (22), Nuri Sahin (23) and Samed Yesil (17) – all fitted the FSG profile.
Now it should be pointed out at this stage that Liverpool have a number of wise old heads in the dressing room.
Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard, Pepe Reina, Joe Cole and Daniel Agger, for instance, have a wealth of experience.
Old head: Veteran defender Jamie Carragher is one of the most experienced players at LiverpoolBut if the chance arises to bolster the ranks further with a player who is closer to 30 than 20 yet will fit into the club's current philosophy, Liverpool should not blink.
A mistake like the one that was made when Clint Dempsey (29) was allowed to slip through the net in August cannot be repeated.
FSG might have strong principles about how they want the club to be run but, equally, they would do well to listen to advice and take a look around the Barclays Premier League to see you cannot be regimented.
Manchester United, for instance, could win the title this year simply because they signed 29-year-old Robin van Persie for £20million.
Youth, to flourish, always needs experience alongside it.
Building: Brendan Rodgers is planning for the future and trying to bring the glory days back to Liverpool'There is no doubt the owners want to bring in players who we can develop and improve,' Rodgers explained recently. 'But they are also aware that you need to have experienced players. You need to bring in players that have played games and can allow your young players to develop.
'I know the owners have taken that on board through the conversations we have had. I can honestly say I was never given that stipulation that I could only sign players under 23.
'Players between 22 and 29 are in their asset age and it is a great time to get players.
'It is just a case of hopefully pulling it all together and getting the players in as quick as we can.'
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