Liverpool FC Forum

[Redrider]

from SKY SPORTS:
Rafa: Kewell lacking confidence
by Alex Livie -  Last Updated 10 Nov 2004

LiverpoolLiverpool boss Rafa Benitez claims that Harry Kewell is currently lacking the confidence and fitness needed to show his best form.
The skilful Australian forward, who has been asked to play in a number of different positions recently, has been below par and Benitez believes it is down to a combination of a lack of condition and confidence.

"We know he can play better because he is a good player," said the Spanish tactician. "He is one of the best in England.

"Harry needs to regain confidence and to improve his physical level and once he does that he will be okay"

There we are, our cuddly Australian sheepdog 'Harry' is not quite up to taking on the 'ram's' because he is out of condition !!  Needs his 'Bob Martin's' and a few bones with marrowbone jelly. Then a pat on the head from Rafa and away we go !!
Let's hope he recovers before the January sheep dog sales come round !! 
   

[zarababe]

. the boss has mad honest assessments of all the players.. he knows who can produce and how lack of confidence can undermine perfromances, cause injuries and make a gd player look Sh*t ..

there have been so many improved perfromances by individuals .. who most us wud gladly have seen the boss get rid of ... lets see what happens..

[Redtribe]

I wish Harry would start to perform but to be honest this kind of thread has been on going for about a year!There is no point selling him as we wouldnt get anything for him so my request would be
Please please please sort out your ankle problems and dont play until they have healed properly!
But until he starts to get better we need to find adequate cover for our left flank!
Do you think Risse or Warnock or the answers? I'm not sure!

[dawson99]

i like warnock, hes got a goodl eft foot but riise is more confident.. dont see why they cant overlap, but then what about traore? hmmmmmmmmmm
tonite he'll start with warnock again and no doubt bring on roberto risse for the 2nd half.
i like kewel tho, and hope he gets back to his best

[Pig Catcher]

I think people overate Warnock just because he's English and just because he has come through they academy.

He is a squad player at best, but I think we can do better.

[SouthernScouser]

Harry Kewell will come good again eventually - whether it's for us or for another side remains to be seen.  But I agree with the general concensus about the manager - if anyone can sort his (Kewells) head out at the moment - RAFA can.

I'll probably get slated for saying this - but I still think it's too early to be talking about shipping him out.  A break from the first team maybe - but I'd hate to see us get shut of him & for him to start clicking for someone else.

[Redrider]

It would be really good if he did hit a purple patch in his career.
People who say we would get little for him are probably correct as any fee received would probably be seriously swamped by outstanding contract wages for Harry, which in turn would only hit as another operating loss.
Infact, it might be cheaper all round if he were sent off for a bloody good holiday in the sun, come back when your feeling better etc.

[SouthernScouser]

Agree RedRider.

I'm probably not as objective as I should be when it comes to Kewell, I think he's a fantastic player.  I think we should stick with him support wise while he's going through (what seems like an eternal) rough patch.

To be honest, with some players in the past - you've felt like they were being carried, being given too many chances almost, they had too much to say for themselves in the press etc.

But Kewell always seems to me like a really down to earth unassuming lad - who used to really love playing footy.

I think we should stick by him, keep singing in chants - hopefully one day soon he will get back on his game and he'll be devastating, possibly better than he was for Leeds because of the support he was given by the faithful.

Or maybe I'm dreaming - always seem to when it comes to the beloved LFC - and all who wear the shirt!!!!!

[Redrider]

So much 'lip-smacking' potential going un-realised. It is painfull to watch Harry perform with so little enthusiasm !! I really hope Rafa can find the psychological key to unleash him.

[Redrider]

Lot of people pulling for Harry !!  Big article in the Echo from Ian Rush, saying much the same as Rafa, but also saying that Harry is up for it, training hard etc.
Rafa, says don't expect overnight improvement, will take a month to bring him round. Sounds like some serious work for Harry !!

[Redrider]

Harry will not shirk challenge Nov 10 2004
By Ian Rush, Liverpool Echo

HARRY KEWELL knows this is a big season for him and while he's been the first to accept his form hasn't been as good as he'd like, criticism of his attitude is wide of the mark.
I know Harry will be working hard in training to put things right and I'm sure will respond very positively to being given a specialist training programme by Rafael Benitez to help improve certain aspects of his game.
When I was working at Melwood, Harry would often want to come in to do extra training and work on his sharpness.
From what I know of Harry, he'll understand the extra attention is all designed to strengthen his game and get him back to his best - and at his best Harry Kewell is an exceptional player.

Well, there's a powerful recommendation, the big gun's seem to be lining up behind Harry to make him succeed. Looks hopeful.

[adayinthelife]

If our manager is backing Kewell that is good enough for me.

He is obviously struggling physically and mentally but if we all get behind him he has a better chance of rediscovering his form.

[crazyhorse]

Kewell has always been a "streaky" player, he is on his day world class but can often be very frustrating.

The manager will see him right, he will come good.

[SouthernScouser]

If he's got the Gaffa and Rushies backing - I'm sure he'll get back to something like his best.

Harry Kewell on form can take a team apart on his own Premier or Champions League.

Back to his best I'd take him any day of the week over Sulky Pires or Giggs.

Come on Harry - sort it out - the Anfield book of Legends is just waiting for you to come good !!!!

[The_Rock]

Actually Oz don't need kewell for games against new zealand & Solomon Islands. They should let kewell recover fully before calling him up. And if they wanna call him up, at least make sure it is against a much stronger opposition. I mean even a division 1 side can beat Solomon Islands..........

Will we ever see kewell back to his best ?

http://www.koptalk.org/forums....1

Socceroos coach Frank Farina has hit back at Rafael Benitez for criticising Harry Kewell for putting his country before his club.

The Liverpool manager said recently that Kewell needed to improve his fintess levels and added "...the problem is when you play one month with muscle problems and then go with the national team and lose ten days you have problems when you come back," and it's those comments that have prompted the Socceroos boss to speak out in Kewell's defence.

Speaking in London, Farina said: "I see where Harry's lack of form has caused some comment over here, but, to be honest, it is not something I'm worried about.

"Yes, he is going through a bit of a tough time and we all know that. But, you can't write him off because of that. In terms of the national team, Harry has never let us down."

One of Kewell's conditions when he signed for the club from Leeds United was that he would always be released for international duty without any fuss. But Benitez was furious that Kewell reported for international duty for the two Confederations Cup qualifiers against the Solomon Islands last month when he wasn't fully fit.

Kewell didn't play in the first game but still managed to find time to promote his DVD and keep to his media commitments.