by Ciggy » Wed Dec 01, 2004 1:10 pm
Kewell Kops roasting
By Mark Jeffreys and John Taylor
December 1, 2004
AUSTRALIA's highest paid footballer – Liverpool striker Harry Kewell – has sunk to the lowest point of his career.
Kewell ... fine with criticism
The Socceroo could not have received a bigger insult than when ESPN's Soccernet website gave him a humiliating one out of 10 rating – and that was for turning up – for his display against Arsenal at Anfield on the weekend.
The headline on ESPN Soccernet read "Harry the passenger".
And even the respected English newspaper The Guardian wasn't much more complimentary, giving Kewell a three out of 10.
Adding to Kewell's woes is a High Court showdown with former England captain and now media personality Gary Lineker before the Socceroos play in the Confederations Cup in Germany next year.
Court proceedings have been listed for June 8, just a week before the Socceroos are due to tackle host nation Germany in Frankfurt. Kewell is suing Lineker over a column in London's Sunday Telegraph in July 2003, in which the former England striker criticised the Australian's move from Leeds United to Liverpool.
The writ, which was issued 10 months after the publication of the article, is against Lineker, the newspaper and another journalist.
This week's article on the Soccernet website reported that Liverpool's performance was a nine out of 10 considering they were effectively doing it with 10 men.
"It's been a good weekend for Australian sportsmen, but just for the moment football just isn't Harry's game," the report said.
Kewell, who was recalled to the starting lineup after being dropped from the Champions League game in Monaco, still hasn't found the net in 18 games this season – after scoring 11 times in 49 appearances in the last campaign.
His rating by The Guardian was well below every other player on the park as Liverpool triumphed 2-1 over the champions.
Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson felt the criticism was harsh.
"I am as mystified as the next man as to why Kewell's dip in form has now opened up into a chasm," he said.
"Everyone saw what he did at Leeds. I was there for the Arsenal game and he's not the same player. It's like Liverpool have signed his younger brother.
"What he did do was try very hard but there was nothing coming, no delivery, no crosses, nothing. His workrate was good but it is an absolute mystery."
The Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez said: "Harry is not enjoying a good run at the moment. He needs to improve his physical condition, which he is doing, as well as other areas of his game. Also I see a lack of confidence."
And Socceroo coach Frank Farina said yesterday that every player goes through a rough stage at some time in their career.
"I believe he will come out of it stronger," Farina said.
"He's had a number of niggling injuries, which has led to a loss of form.
"He's working his way through a difficult time.
"I thought he played pretty well for us (the Socceroos) against Norway.
"In fact, he's never let us down when he's played for the national team."
Kewell seemed to be much happier at Liverpool when Frenchman Gerard Houllier was there last season, and he was full of zest.
But his decline in form can be put down to ankle and recurring groin problems.
It was obvious when he played for Australia against the Solomon Islands in the Confederations Cup in Sydney recently that he was very tentative – and even his goal was a miskick.
One of the key features of Kewell's game has been his ability to take players on – but it's just not happening for the former golden boy.
He showed in the last World Cup playoff against Uruguay in Montevideo what he's really capable of.
Aussie fans will be praying he comes good again.
Last edited by
Ciggy on Wed Dec 01, 2004 1:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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.