Notwithstanding, McManaman was mainly criticised for scoring too few goals, although he did make up for this with a formidable rate of assists for the likes of Fowler (with whom he was described as having an almost 'telepathic' understanding with) and later Michael Owen, with Owen saying that "Liverpool at the time was built around McManaman" and was an average team whenever McManaman was not on form. Additionally, McManaman's role as the playmaking lynchpin in the side meant that scoring statistics alone would not measure his contributions, because even in games where he would not get a goal or an assist, he would often have started the move or delivered the key pass or two in the lead up. The few goals that McManaman did score also tended to be spectacular or memorable – most notably an injury time solo goal against Celtic in the UEFA Cup, when McManaman scored after a 75-yard dribble. Other outstanding goals during his Liverpool career included goals against Aston Villa, Newcastle United and scoring the winner in a match against Arsenal with a stunning volley, after which he won a PFA Player of the Month award in December 1997.