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Robbie Fowler doubts England will get past World Cup quarterfinals

Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler, who was in Malaysia last week, is impressed by Gareth Southgate’s England team, but does not see it winning the FIFA World Cup.

Fowler, who earned 26 caps with the Three Lions, said he was confident the team would finish top of Group B, ahead of Iran, the United States, and Wales.

After two matches, England has four points, Iran three, the United States two, and Wales one.

England’s next match is against Wales (Wednesday, 3am). Iran takes on the United States at the same time.

If England wins or becomes the runners-up of Group B, it faces either Netherlands, Senegal or Ecuador from Group A.

If England reaches the quarterfinals, it may meet Argentina or defending champion France.

Fowler, who expected England to defeat the United States last week, said Southgate’s men would be too powerful for Wales.

“No disrespect to Wales, but England has better quality and should win,” said Fowler during a meet-and-greet with two Malaysian-based Liverpool fan clubs.

“England has players that can change games, and it will go all the way to the quarterfinals, where, possibly, it will get knocked out.”

Meanwhile, Fowler said he was disappointed to only win 26 caps for England.

He was in the England squad for the 1996 and 2000 European Championships, and the 2002 World Cup. He has seven international goals.

“It is a proud moment playing for your country, as it shows you have done something right in your career,” said Fowler, who scored 183 goals for Liverpool, earning the nickname ‘God’.

“I would have preferred more caps. I did not have the same affiliation with England that I did with Liverpool, as I did not play as many games.”

Fowler made his Liverpool debut in 1993 and scored nearly 100 goals before earning his first cap in 1996.

“That would never happen today. If you played in the (English) Premier League, you are almost guaranteed an England cap,” said the ‘Toxteth Terror’, whose 128 goals for Liverpool in the EPL era is a club record.

“The managers wanted certain players in their team to suit their style. That is a manager’s prerogative.

“I believe I should have played more, but the managers put out teams they felt would win games. I was more comfortable playing for Liverpool.”

Separately, Fowler denied he was close to signing as player-manager of Malaysian outfit T-team in 2012, although his representatives did hear from Peter Butler, who was Terengganu’s coach.

“But that was as far as it got,” said the 47-year-old.

However, Fowler said he was open to coaching offers from Malaysia after stints in India, Thailand, and Australia.