He left Liverpool for Real Madrid at just 24 years old after scoring 158 goals in 297 games.
The Reds beat AC Milan the following season in a European Cup classic at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul after falling 3-0 at the break.
But for Michael Owen, the long-awaited clash between Liverpool and Los Blancos on Saturday for the Champions League crown at the Stade de France will not be so close.
Michael Owen left Liverpool for Real Madrid at just 24 years old after scoring 158 goals in 297 games.
Liverpool survived a major scare in Spain to reach the final after a poor performance in the first half that saw Villarreal draw 2-2 overall.
Speaking exclusively on Sportsmail before the game, Owen said: “I think Liverpool are better than Madrid and could destroy them. 3-1 or 3-0 is my prediction.
“I think they could beat them in a reasonably convincing way because they are an exceptional team at the moment and they are too good for Madrid.”
Real made another miraculous comeback to save themselves against Manchester City in the semi-finals and Karim Benzema broke Chelsea’s heart in the quarter-finals.
“Madrid have just done phenomenally well to reach the final,” continued Owen.
Owen scored against Barcelona in a 4-2 victory at El Classico during the 2004-05 season.
“I’m sure they think their name is in the title, with the scrapping of the group stage and then, of course, Chelsea was amazing how they overcame it. Manchester City was amazing how they also won. .
“But I think Liverpool have a lot of experience and it’s so good. They won’t want to mess with them because I think Madrid is the ultimate team in terms of know-how and winning tight games.”
Despite being booed at Anfield when he returned from LaLiga with Newcastle United, the club he joined from Madrid, Owen’s loyalty remains firmly with Liverpool.
“Everyone knows I spent half my life at Liverpool. Make no mistake, I had a great year, I met great people and I had the most wonderful experience.
Real made another miraculous comeback to save themselves against Manchester City in the semi-finals and Karim Benzema broke Chelsea’s heart in the quarter-finals.
“It was a great honor to play in the white shirt at that stadium and I loved every minute of it. But of course I’m in favor of Liverpool.
We’ve been here before with these two. First, in 1981, with the Reds winning 1-0. Most recently, in 2018, when Madrid came out victorious with a 3-1 score in Kyiv.
So how will this meeting turn out? Owen warns Jürgen Klopp’s men that Vinicius Jr. could be a “weapon” for whites.
“I think Liverpool will probably have a lot of balls because I think Madrid will want to avoid spaces behind them to meet Salah and Mané.
“But I also think they will want to sit deep to encourage Liverpool to play this high line and then try to take advantage of it on the counterattack.
“Any opponent will look at Liverpool and think that the way we can beat them is to try to get behind them.
“When Trent Alexander-Arnold advances, they have Vinicius who could hurt Liverpool in that position.
‘Everyone does the same thing and everyone tries it. Whether you can actually do that is another matter.
“There is no doubt that Madrid will look at Liverpool’s top line, they will look very far ahead and think that Vinicius will be a weapon.”
So this Liverpool is currently the best team in the world? “I think it’s one of the best teams in history,” Owen says
“I think Ancelotti will try to expose this area and Vinicius will be one of its key components,” Owen added.
“Benzema is in great shape, of course, but I think it is behind and the pace of Vinicius that they could try to exploit.
“Liverpool play in a very similar way, in any case, a similar formation, and I don’t think there are any surprises for Liverpool.
“They will play exactly as they normally do and it is usually good enough to win.
“Madrid are more likely to want it to be a tactical issue, and I certainly hope it will be a counterattack.”
Liverpool survived a major scare in Spain to reach the final after a poor performance in the first half that saw Villarreal draw 2-2 overall.
Owen warns Jürgen Klopp’s men that Vinicius Jr. could be a “weapon” for whites
But the 2001 Ballon d’Or winner still believes Liverpool have enough in their armory to beat Real Madrid as long as they contain Benzema and Vinícius Jr.
“Benzema has had the most phenomenal season and looks better than ever even though he is 34 years old.
“I hope Diaz plays. I think he played on the team himself. These kinds of games are set up for Mo Salah.
‘In the back you have to be very careful. There is a lot of emphasis on Liverpool defenders because they play this high risk and reward game and expose themselves.
“Like Virgil van Dijk, he has a rhythm and can also get out of any problem.
The 2001 Golden Ball winner believes Liverpool have enough in their armory to beat Real Madrid as long as they contain Benzema and Vinícius Jr.
“I think if they can control Benzema and Vinicius, then Liverpool have too many good players.”
So this Liverpool is currently the best team in the world? “I think it’s one of the best teams in history,” Owen says.
“If Liverpool win the Champions League, three trophies and a tiny quarter win, I don’t think there has ever been a team, no doubt in England, that has been so good in a season.
“This is the best Liverpool team I’ve ever seen and they’ve had some good teams over the years, but this one is pretty exceptional and is run by an exceptional coach.”
Watch BT Sport’s exclusive coverage of the UEFA Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid live from the Stade de France from 6pm on Saturday 28 May. For more information, visit btsport.com