Fowler: It felt like a different era
Robbie Fowler insists the combination of Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez during Liverpool's 3-1 win over Sunderland on Sunday was a throwback to the classic strike partnerships of old.
Sturridge opened the scoring at the Stadium of Light, before turning provider to gift Suarez two assists and wrap up three points for Brendan Rodgers' side.
Fowler was enthralled by their movement and understanding as the pair linked to fire Liverpool to second place in the Barclays Premier League table.
He wrote in the Daily Mail: "Once you have two strikers working in tandem, the dynamics completely change and doubts begin to creep into defenders' minds.
"It felt like a throwback to a different era when I saw Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge running riot at the Stadium of Light.
"There has been a trend to play one up front with a man floating in behind but that can make things difficult for the man at the head of the team. He will often find himself with two men, possibly even three, keeping him under wraps.
"That's when a partnership really works. When it is two against two, the odds are in favour of the strikers, especially if they are top players like Liverpool's pairing.
"Look at the first goal Suarez scored at Sunderland. He peeled off the back as Sturridge received possession from Steven Gerrard and pointed to where he wanted the ball played.
"He spread panic among Sunderland's defenders and Sturridge did what was required when giving the perfect pass."
Fowler found the back of the net 183 times in a red shirt - and during his time at Anfield formed strong partnerships with the likes of Stan Collymore and Michael Owen.
But the Toxteth-born striker pinpoints the bond formed with the club's all-time goalscorer, Ian Rush, as the one he learned most from.
"I was fortunate to enjoy a number of great partnerships in my career but the most important was the one I had with Ian Rush," said Fowler.
"With football there are always agendas and that can occasionally mean an older player will look after himself at the expense of a younger one.
"With Rushie, however, nothing could have been further from the case. I thought I knew how to play as a striker but after a few sessions training alongside him, it was quite clear that I had so much to learn.
"He taught me how to run and when to run; he taught me how to create space for him and watch how he did the same for me.
"I couldn't have wished for a better mentor and the rapport we built up that was reflected in the way we played."