SPORTS stores are facing million-pound losses on Michael Owen replica shirts after the England ace's last-minute move from Liverpool to Real Madrid.

Shops across the UK will be £1.5m out of pocket after the striker's shock transfer to the Spanish giants rendered his red kit obsolete.

Worst-hit are stores on Merseyside, where thousands of shirts were dispatched pre-season, already bearing Owen's name and number 10 on the back.

Nationwide outlet Sports Soccer pre-ordered more than 30,000 Owen shirts after football pundits tipped Liverpool to storm through the Premiership this season.

A spokesman for the 153-strong chain said: "We had thousands of Owen shirts printed at the start of the season but no-one will want one now."

Shirts at the official club shop are sold for £29 for children and £39 for adults, with additional printing costs tagged on.

But the store, situated next to the statue of legendary Reds' manager Bill Shankly at Anfield, is refusing refunds to fans who have already bought Owen tops.

A spokesman for Liverpool FC said: "We cannot accept any responsibility for the shirts that have already been sold."

Liverpool fan John Mayor was red-faced after he spent £40 on an Owen replica and became the butt of jokes among his pals.

The 19-year-old office worker from Birkenhead Merseyside, said: "I spent my hard-earned wages on a shirt for the new season and now it's all gone to waste.

"All my friends are laughing at me."

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