Harry Kewell
Date of Birth: 22/09/1978
Birthplace: Sydney, Australia
Debut : v Chelsea, August 17, 2003, Premier League, lost 2-1
1st team games: 138
1st team goals: 16
Other clubs: Leeds United
International caps: 20
International goals: 8
Honours with Liverpool: Champions League (2005), FA Cup (2006)
PROFILE
Harry Kewell was a player who threatened to deliver so much in a red shirt - but ultimately his stay at Liverpool will be filed under 'frustrating'.
A succession of long-term injuries prevented him reproducing the form witnessed at former club Leeds, where the Aussie winger had established himself as one of the Premiership's top talents.
Kewell's time in Yorkshire saw him voted PFA Young Player of the Year in 2000 before his love affair with the club came to an end in 2003.
Having turned down a move to Manchester United, the would-be Australia captain made his Reds debut in front of the Kop against Chelsea on August 17, 2003.
Kewell went on to score 11 goals in 49 games in his first season at Anfield - easily his best tally.
The following campaign saw him bag a single goal in 31 appearances. He was a shock starter in the Champions League final against AC Milan in Istanbul, though injury meant he was replaced by Vladimir Smicer after just 23 minutes.
A year later, after scoring three goals in 41 appearances during the 2005-06 season, fate again contrived against the playmaker as injury forced him to be substituted half way through the FA Cup final victory over West Ham.
Despite this, Kewell was fit in time for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. It was the first time Australia had qualified for the competition since 1974, and the Liverpool man was there in the opening game against Japan.
After a substitute appearance versus Brazil, Kewell scored a crucial equalising goal against Croatia which took his side into the second round. Unfortunately, another spell in the treatment room meant he played no part in the defeat to eventual winners Italy - nor indeed most of the following season back in England.
The winger returned to action in the penultimate league game of 2006-07 at Craven Cottage and went on to feature as a second-half substitute in the Champions League final against AC Milan.
Kewell now had a year to save his stuttering Reds career - he couldn't. More injuries prevented him playing any meaningful role in 2007-08 and his contract was not renewed.
He left Melwood for the final time in May 2008 wondering 'what might have been'.
Books & Kindle (Recommend)
Dynasty: Fifty Years of Shankly's Liverpool
Red Men: Liverpool Football Club: The Biography
The Miracle of Istanbul: Liverpool FC from Paisley to Benitez
44 Years With The Same Bird: A Liverpudlian Love Affair
Bill Shankly: It's Much More Important Than That
My Liverpool Home by Kenny Dalglish
Fowler: My Autobiography
Torres: El Nino: My Story
Red Men: Liverpool Football Club: The Biography
The Miracle of Istanbul: Liverpool FC from Paisley to Benitez
44 Years With The Same Bird: A Liverpudlian Love Affair
Bill Shankly: It's Much More Important Than That
My Liverpool Home by Kenny Dalglish
Fowler: My Autobiography
Torres: El Nino: My Story
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Wednesday, March 11, 2009
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