Robbie Fowler was snuffed out in ruthless fashion by his former team mates as a rejuvenated Liverpool boosted their English premier league title chances with a stunning 4-0 win at Leeds United today.
Fowler, the former Anfield favourite who moved to Leeds for Stg£11 million pounds in November, endured a miserable afternoon as his England colleague Emile Heskey came to life with two goals to help Liverpool into third place.
Heskey, who had managed just three league goals before kickoff, struck twice in the space of two second half minutes to add to a 16th minute own goal by Leeds defender Rio Ferdinand at Elland Road.
Michael Owen's 21st goal in 29 games in stoppage time completed the rout and avenged Liverpool's 4-3 defeat at Elland Road last season.
The result leaves Liverpool behind second-placed Newcastle United on goal difference and two points below leaders Manchester United.
Marshalled superbly by the Liverpool defence, Fowler rarely looked like scoring against his hometown club - for whom he scored 171 goals in 330 appearances during nearly 10 years of service.
When he did get free in the second half, he saw a penalty appeal waved away by referee Graham Poll and a shot brilliantly saved by Liverpool keeper Jerzy Dudek.
The win was Liverpool's third in succession, and another fillip for acting manager Phil Thompson, who is standing in for the recuperating Gerard Houllier.
It was during the match between Liverpool and Leeds at Anfield in October that Houllier fell ill. He then underwent emergency heart surgery.