Harry Kewell challenged to resurrect Liverpool FC career

Nov 2 2007 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

HARRY KEWELL has been issued the challenge of extending his Anfield career beyond the end of the season.

But Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez admits long-term fitness could ultimately decide whether the Australian is offered a new deal.

Kewell, who is out of contract next summer, made his long-awaited return to first-team action on Wednesday night as a second-half substitute in the Carling Cup win over Cardiff City at Anfield.

The 29-year-old impressed during a 19-minute outing, his first senior appearance since the European Cup final against AC Milan in May.

A debilitating series of groin, knee, foot and thigh injuries have restricted Kewell to just 96 minutes of playing time for Liverpool since hobbling out of the FA Cup final against West Ham United in May 2006.

He scored during a 45-minute appearance for the reserves against Newcastle United last week and is in contention for a place on the bench for the Premier League visit to Blackburn Rovers tomorrow.

And Benitez has urged Kewell to begin reproducing his best form as he admits the player is entering a pivotal period of his career.

“Harry was playing 45 minutes with the reserve team and to play with the first team again and to play well – we were creating chances when he was on the pitch – I think was really good,” said the Liverpool manager.

“Now he must try to be as fit as possible for the next games. We must see what we can do with him because it is not easy when you can only have 16 players on the list. You need to decide each time.

“He is working with the physios and doing the right things. But sometimes, because he was eight to 10 months without playing, you cannot be sure. You need to play 100% in games.”

When asked on whether Kewell can still earn a new contract, Benitez added: “Yes, by working hard and playing well, playing games in a row and playing at his level.

“Nobody has any doubt about the quality of Harry. He’s a fantastic player. I have always seen him as a very good player with options for him maybe staying here.

“But this is a crucial stage of his career. For his age and because he is finishing his contract he knows how important this time is.

“I am not thinking about the kind of contract right now. I am thinking about seeing him fit, seeing him playing well.

“I have no doubt about his quality. It is always good just to see him on the pitch, playing well and scoring goals and we will decide.”

Kewell’s return is timely given the injury woes that have hampered Liverpool during recent weeks.

Benitez, though, reckons Fernando Torres, Daniel Agger and Xabi Alonso should all return after the international break later this month, although more will be known about Alonso’s condition once fresh scans are assessed today.

“We expect Fernando to be back in two or three weeks, but we must wait to see how he progresses,” said the Liverpool manager. “We felt the previous time he was injured that he was okay after a few weeks, but then we had more problems with him.

“Daniel Agger and Xabi Alonso should also both be back in the same timescale. We are still looking at scans over Alonso, but it looks promising.

“But at the moment he cannot run, and I don’t like seeing players just walking. We must be careful.

“He picked up another injury just when we were expecting him to be able to get back to his best. This time we must make sure that we have him back and fit for a long time. We want him for more than one or two games.”