by Ciggy » Mon Nov 07, 2005 10:57 am
Back to topic.
Ian Doyle Daily Post Staff
HARRY KEWELL is facing a crucial two-month period that could make or break his Liverpool career.
The Australian midfielder has endured a miserable time since Rafael Benitez's arrival at Anfield, culminating in the groin injury that curtailed his appearance in the European Cup final in May.
However, Kewell's subsequent good form on his return to fitness sees him competing for a starting role in this afternoon's Premier-ship visit to Aston Villa.
Villa manager David O'Leary, who was in charge of Kewell at Leeds United, is contemplating making a move for the 27-year-old when the transfer window opens in January.
But Benitez has issued a challenge to the Australian to secure his future at the European Champions by building on his encouraging comeback.
"We need to see Harry Kewell in the next month or so and see how he does," said the Liverpool manager. "I am patient with him.
"I think he still wants to succeed at Liverpool, and as a team you would want a winger or a second striker with the quality of Harry Kewell.
"He will play with us and the national team and if he plays games in a row we can see what he does. When a player has been injured for a long time then it is important that he plays games."
Kewell's time under Benitez has been dogged by poor form and persistent injury, leading to an angry exchange of words between Liverpool and the Australian national team over the Anfield outfit's treatment of the player.
However, the manager has shown faith in the player since his recovery from a groin operation and believes he will benefit from an extended run in the side.
Kewell has been handed starting roles against Fulham and Crystal Palace in recent weeks and made late substitute appearances in both Champions League victories over Anderlecht.
And Benitez added: "We have confidence in him because he has the quality that we need. In my opinion he has all the potential talent, and we are supporting him so he must give a lot of things to us.
"Harry Kewell is trying to play as well as possible for us now. That is his priority. If he plays well then it is easier for him.
"The players who have been injured for a while need time. He is a good player, and if someone is as good as Harry then we need to give him support so that he plays well.
"When he played against Anderlecht away for the last 15 minutes he did well, and the other night look how well he did to set up the goal for Djibril Cisse. His confidence will improve when he scores a goal himself."
Benitez continued: "The first game that I saw in England was Manchester United against Leeds. Harry was up against Jaap Stam, who was one of the best centrebacks in the world at the time, and he did really well.
"He won the ball in the air, was dribbling and passing and it was an amazing game from him.
"I was talking to the Spanish scouts who were at that game and they were all saying the same thing.
"He also played against Valencia, and I talked to the players there and they spoke really well of him."
There is no-one anywhere in the world at any stage who is any bigger or any better than this football club.
Kenny Dalglish 1/2/2011
REST IN PEACE PHIL, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.