Michael Owen's return to Anfield for Jamie Carragher's testimonial on Saturday prompted a raucous debate among Liverpool fans as to the reception he should receive.

Owen is regarded by many as a Reds legend after top scoring for the club in seven consecutive seasons. He also played a major part in our treble-winning season, including the goals which won us the 2001 FA Cup.

However, the manner of his transfer to Real Madrid and his subsequent moves to Newcastle and Manchester United left a bitter taste in the mouths of some fans.

His appearance in a red shirt this weekend was met with a mixed reaction at Anfield. Here's how fans on the redandwhitekop forum answered the 'To boo or not to boo?' question prior to the match.

TO BOO...

I understand the hatred, I do. I felt sorry for him until he refused to stick to his guns with Real Madrid, and instead of sitting it out for a few months (at worst) and getting his supposedly dream move back in the January, he panicked and took the Newcastle gig. I understood his move to Real Madrid. We were terrible back then and those kind of jobs don't come up often, and I firmly believe that Rafa had a hand to play in him going as well. I also know for a fact that he was clamouring to get back to us from the summer after he went to Newcastle. And I don't blame Rafa one bit for saying no. He was great for us for a long time. Those of you too young to know how good he was week-in, week-out missed a treat. He'll be remembered for the two goals in Cardiff, but I'll remember him more for a cocky nerveless teenager standing up to players like Bruce, Pallister and Adams and not budging an inch. He was glorious for a few years and carried the team and was the silver lining to what at times was nothing but cloud. And he was never, ever appreciated here as much as he deserved. No doubt those who never took to him then will use his behaviour now and say, "See, I was right", but maybe your attitude then led him to be the way he is. Who knows? But anyway, going to Manchester United was just too far. I feel nothing but a mild distaste for him now. I don't really care that he wanted to come to us, and only chose them on the bounce. He's a hired gun. A player whose face rings a bell, but I scarcely recognise. That all said: we will embarass ourselves and do ourselves a disservice by making this a massive thing.  Boo him with a bit of humour in a pantomime way and fair enough. He's a player whose best years were before he turned 21 and we saw those years. Life has punished him enough for turning his back on us - we simply don't need to do it.
BobbyDavro

I too was a big Owen fan (but not as big a fan as Fowler) and from the moment he scored that wonder goal against Argentina and he constantly talked about playing abroad, I knew he would never end his career with us. When he single-handedly won the FA Cup for us I was over the moon, walking around proudly in my Liverpool kit. Then he got off to Madrid at the last minute - after "reassuring" Reds that he would sign a new contract - leaving us short on strikers. I was still willing to forgive him after the year and was ready and waiting to re-accept him back into the Reds fold; then he ran off to Newcastle because he wanted to get back into the England squad. Then at his introduction, he claimed that they [Newcastle] had the best fans in the league, trying to kiss up to them. Even after all his injury issues at Newcastle, I felt sorry for him and was contemplating forgiving him but then he did the ultimate betrayal and joined the Mancs. That is unforgivable!
Ramon

NOT TO BOO...

I don't get the hatred to be honest.  He chose Manchester United over Stoke at the time. It was obvious he was desperate to come here, but Rafa didn't want him. Which with hindsight proved to be the right decision as he's really only made cameo appearances for United. Yeah it was sickening to watch him score that goal in the last min against City and celebrate it. But United probably felt the same with Ince when he scored for us against them and celebrated. The consolation is that we all know we got the best years out of Owen. We know it, he knows it, and United know it. Anyway, it's Carra's day. And I think the match-going fans will recognise it as such.
TSC

As others have probably said, there are more appropriate times to boo Owen. Judas as he may be, we shouldn't let our feelings ruin what should be a day to celebrate one of our most loyal players - one of the most loyal players in football these days. If Owen has any decency at all, I imagine the very irony of playing a testimonial for a player he came through the ranks with, who's had success at the club since he's gone and who will likely have the love of most if not all of the fans, will make him feel bad enough already.
Redcap