Liverpool FC Forum

by **JC_81** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 3:24 pm

This is from liverpoolfc.tv,

Harry Kewell has spoken of his surprise at being back in contention for a first team place and heaped praise on Rafael Benitez for the role he has played in his remarkable rehabilitation.
Kewell made his return to the Liverpool side as a substitute in Wednesday's Champions League semi-final first leg against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and is once again in the manager's plans for this afternoon's match with Middlesbrough.

The Aussie winger has been hampered by niggling injuries for most of the season and had not played since the Carling Cup Final at the end of February. He was not expected to play again this campaign but now he is back and hoping to make up for lost time.

"I've gone through a rough season, but there's a guy out in Spain who has got me back, so all credit to him. He's a physio with a local team in Cadiz that the manager knew," says Kewell.

"We've worked with Liverpool and also out there. I've been away for about a month - two weeks here and two weeks there.

"If you had told me a month ago that I had a chance of even being substitute for the semi-final of the Champions League at Chelsea last Wednesday I would have taken it. I would even have signed a piece of paper.

"It's just nice to be out there and running with no pain. I've done a lot of massaging, stretching and strength work. It's been all work - I've got no tan!

"I feel about 80 per cent fit now, but the difference is that I am now 80 per cent with no pain. It's a big step forward for me. I've gone through the whole season with pain and it is something you have to deal with as a footballer.

"But it got to the stage where I had to pull the plug. I had to bite the bullet. I have a debt of gratitude to Liverpool. The boss has worked really hard to get me back fit. All I want to do is play football."

Personally i think its last chance saloon for kewell, but if what he is saying here about playing through the pain is true then maybe some of us have been harsh on him. I would love to see Kewell back at his best, it would be like signing a new player. Lets not forget that kewell at his best was one of the best in europe and he's young enough to get back to that level if he knuckles down now. He's starting against boro today, so come on harry and start justifying that 60 grand a week...

by **el_stinger** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 5:41 pm

Played very well vs. Boro

by **banana** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 6:00 pm

el_stinger wrote:Played very well vs. Boro

You must be joking. He played ok given the fact that he has not played for a while and is unfit. But he did not play very well. That is a lie. Or maybe you are trying to be ironic?

by **115-1073096938** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 6:01 pm

For the first time ever i agree with you.

He was poor.

by **banana** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 6:19 pm

stu_the_red wrote:For the first time ever i agree with you.

He was poor.

Yes. He was bad. But I actually expected an abysmal performance from him. So I am actually a little surprised.

An unfit Kewell, a clumsy Nunez, a slow Pelle and a lazy Morientes -->>> never going to be enough.

by **7_Kewell** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 6:24 pm

Pelle is awful....how many more times will we conceed a goal from him being pushed aside by a Premiership striker??? I really hope we don't renew his 6 month contract

I thought Kewell did ok, he's not match fit but he did look more willing today and could start against Chelsea and be sharper

by **The_Rock** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 6:32 pm

yes, have to agree about pelle...i thought he had finally adapted to premier league after the BS game, but he has been sh1t.

Nice to see riise at centreback..... He makes a better CB than pelle ever would.

by **7_Kewell** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 6:35 pm

for some reason Pelle can't cope with the physical side of defending....hence he's usless!

by **Thinkpad** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 6:42 pm

I think Kewell played better then I would have expected. It was one of his best performance THIS season.. nothing much to compared anyway.

The only positive out of this is that he MIGHT just get better ... improved as he is getting match fit and more games under his belt? But I would still sell him at the end of the season if there is a buyer..

by **The_Rock** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 6:45 pm

well..hope kewell comes good. He is still our most technically gifted player.

by **JC_81** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 7:01 pm

Only saw the 1st half of the game today before the internet link i was watching it on crashed, but thought kewell looked ok. His first touch looked good, hopefully he'll get better with more games

I have defended pelle on here before but thats it, he hasn't adapted to the epl and we cant offer a 1 year extension in the hope that he might still adapt at the age 0f 33.

by **The_Rock** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 7:45 pm

rafa's signing.

my take.

Hit
1)Garcia
2)Alonso

Misses
1)Josemi
2)Pelle
3)Nunez

Undecided
1)Morientas.

by **Feeney** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 7:59 pm

I think we will see the best from Morientes next season. Wenger done it last year with Reyes - bought in Jan. Look at him this season, he's been quality.

Josemi and Pelle are liabilities and Mr Bean is heading for leg-end status like Igor was.

by **banana** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 8:12 pm

The_Rock wrote:rafa's signing.

my take.

Hit
1)Garcia
2)Alonso

Misses
1)Josemi
2)Pelle
3)Nunez

Undecided
1)Morientas.

I would not call Pelle and Nunez signings.

Nunez was only a player who happened to be part of the Owen package and Pelle was taken for free on a 6 month deal.

Garcia and Alonso are superb signings.
Josemi has been out injured all the time.
Morientes has failed. (so far )

by **The_Rock** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 8:45 pm

Feeney wrote:I think we will see the best from Morientes next season. Wenger done it last year with Reyes - bought in Jan. Look at him this season, he's been quality.

Josemi and Pelle are liabilities and Mr Bean is heading for leg-end status like Igor was.

Reyes started the 1st 10 games well....but after that it has been downhill for him. He will not be at arsenal next season.

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