Is Harry Kewell the new Owen

[jariiiiiiiiiise]

Gets injured playing for his club but always seems to be fit for his country

[Swagger]

Lets hope not. Regardless of which wingers Rafa get in this summer, I really hope that Kewell will be back to his best next season, and I reckon that he will surprise a few people.

[Skillz]

Played very well last night, albeit against a lowly team in Singapore. Singapore to their credit were up for it and unlucky not to have 2 goals by half time. Australia were just having a run out in what was a lacklustre match. Then Harry came on and showed he is a class above. Should of scored twice before finishing well 1st time with his right foot. Then topped it off with a quality cross from the left to tee up Viduka.

 

Having said that what pleased me most was Harry's ability to walk off without a limp. He's looking good but at the end of the day i couldnt care less how he plays as long as he comes back not only fit but match fit.

[alias75]

Looked as fit as ive seen him for a long time, certainly lost some weight in the last few months and did well yesterday.

[Swagger]

How was he pace-wise?

[downunder]

Gets injured playing for his club but always seems to be fit for his country

 

Ermmmmm he didn't get injured playing in our last game did he? Aus are working with him and LFC, he is 100% fit but only played 30mins yesterday. He is being gentky workes back so he can play in Asian Cup and be fully fit for us in August.

[Skillz]

How was he pace-wise?

His pace is fine although he had the benefit of coming on after an hour in opressive conditions. His control of the ball and ability to make space was their though so he didnt need his pace as much. Need to seem him in competitive games as this was a very slowly fought out match due to conditions and the fact the Aussies werent to keen to get stuck in avoiding injury IMO.

 

Really cant take much out of it other than the fact Harry did everything you would and then some. Once again for Australia his introduction changed the game. Singapore went on the back foot and the rest of Australia visibly lifted.

 

At the end of Asian cuo we will no more and all i really want is for Harry to get match fit and STAY FIT, please

[KD07]

He'd been given an extra 90 minutes workout even before the match which he breezed through. Hopefully all goes well and he gets a good season for us under his belt.

[Leo No.8]

If he's fit, he's better than Malouda who is a decent left winger but hasn't got anything like the flair Kewell has.

 

A midfield of a fit Kewell, Mascherano, Alonso and Gerrard would be sensational. I'd love to see him put his injury problems behind him and really show people what he can do this season.

 

Simple fact is that we couldn't actually sign a better player (who might be available) than him for the left if he can stay fit.

[Cunny]

is it time for a formation?

 

Reina

Finnan Carra Agger Heinze

Gerrard Alonso Mascherano Kewell

Torres Tevez

[jariiiiiiiiiise]

Ermmmmm he didn't get injured playing in our last game did he? Aus are working with him and LFC, he is 100% fit but only played 30mins yesterday. He is being gentky workes back so he can play in Asian Cup and be fully fit for us in August.

God I hope so

[micmij]

Gets injured playing for his club but always seems to be fit for his country

Not sure if 'always' is applicable - the media here (in Australia) are constantly on his back for pulling out of internationals. I think I heard last night was his 24th cap, which doesn't translate to too many games considering he made his debut in 1996 (an average of 2 internationals a season since his debut). Don't worry about Harry, he wouldn't be at the Asian Cup if Liverpool weren't happy for him to be there....

 

A few points about his performance:

1. Looked fit and slim

2. Showed great pace to get past the central defender for his goal

3. Good pace and inch-perfect cross for Viduka's second

4. Gave opponent an ear-bashing when he clumsily ran into him (Kewell) - obviously doesn't want to pick up a needless injury!

 

It'll be interesting to see how he is used at the Asian Cup. Australia are favourites for the tournament and shouldn't really need to pull out the big guns for the group stage. On top of that Australia has been doing quite well without Kewell in the lineup since the World Cup, so I'd guess that he'd be used as a substitute late in games (especially when considering his injury situation).

[Guest redphi]

2. Showed great pace to get past the central defender for his goal

You don't often see him score with his right, either. I was impressed.

[Hassony]

It'll be interesting to see how he is used at the Asian Cup. Australia are favourites for the tournament and shouldn't really need to pull out the big guns for the group stage. On top of that Australia has been doing quite well without Kewell in the lineup since the World Cup, so I'd guess that he'd be used as a substitute late in games (especially when considering his injury situation).

they will if they want to beat the mighty Iraq

[Guest Joaquin]

I was impressed by his display as well. He's never going to be as good as the Harry Kewell of Leeds' golden generation but he is still a top class player. And when he exchanged shirts at the end, you could see how he really (in his own words) lived like a monk the last many months.

He's looking lean and mean. And the Asian Cup is extra pre-season action for him. He will be very sharp for us. Can't wait.

 

Just wish we could at least hand him a one-year extension. Would hate it if he played superbly for us this coming season and then join Barca or something on a free at the end of it.

[micmij]

Just wish we could at least hand him a one-year extension. Would hate it if he played superbly for us this coming season and then join Barca or something on a free at the end of it.

I read something when Harry was back in Australia a few weeks back that indicated that he feels like he owes Liverpool, and particularly Rafa (appears to really respect Rafa), after all his injury problems. He said that he's looking at this as the start of his career again and that he has a lot to prove. Also, indicated that he was really happy at Liverpool.

 

If he can get back to his best and deserves another contract I doubt he'll be going anywhere. If he can't, though....

[Zoob]

If he's fit, he's better than Malouda who is a decent left winger but hasn't got anything like the flair Kewell has.

 

A midfield of a fit Kewell, Mascherano, Alonso and Gerrard would be sensational. I'd love to see him put his injury problems behind him and really show people what he can do this season.

 

Simple fact is that we couldn't actually sign a better player (who might be available) than him for the left if he can stay fit.

 

 

Absolutely agree with you here. If Kewell manages to stay fit, he'll make a huge difference for us.

 

 

Our left hand side last season was almost non-existant. We had Riise sometimes playing left midfield - he might score the odd great goal but his crossing is poor and he rarely beats his man. Aurellio was decent (and occasionally very good) but was injured almost as much as Kewell. Zenden was occasionally solid but was never really a goal threat nor a great crosser.

 

A fit Kewell = taking on - and beating players, keeping posession of the ball, goals and assists.

[Guest CincyReds]

Ermmmmm he didn't get injured playing in our last game did he? Aus are working with him and LFC, he is 100% fit but only played 30mins yesterday. He is being gentky workes back so he can play in Asian Cup and be fully fit for us in August.

 

I saw an interview with him, where Harry said that LFC mandated that he take an entire month off after Athens. He had worked himself back to fitness and was ready to go, but bc the Asian Cup is so late, LFC decided to have him take his summer break then so when the tournament is over he will be ready to slot into our preseason workout having already gotten it started with his national side. He also said that he is gonna be able to hook up with the Liverpool first team during the tournament while the lads are in Asia for the preseason friendlies. All very good news and hopefully we will see a fit Harry in August. Remember he has never had a full preseaon since Rafa has been with the club. I think hes gonna come back on fire.

[David Hodgson]

If he's fit, he's better than Malouda who is a decent left winger but hasn't got anything like the flair Kewell has.

 

A midfield of a fit Kewell, Mascherano, Alonso and Gerrard would be sensational. I'd love to see him put his injury problems behind him and really show people what he can do this season.

 

Simple fact is that we couldn't actually sign a better player (who might be available) than him for the left if he can stay fit.

 

You're right.

 

I think a fit Kewell would prove our best 'signing' of the summer. If he has a 'rolling back the years' season, like Giggs just had, it could have a huge impact on our fortunes.

[Leo No.8]

You're right.

 

I think a fit Kewell would prove our best 'signing' of the summer. If he has a 'rolling back the years' season, like Giggs just had, it could have a huge impact on our fortunes.

 

Definitely. As I said I'd challenge people to name a left winger who we could feasibly get and is better than a fully fit Harry Kewell.

 

The likes of Simao for example (who was my preference for the left ahead of the likes of Malouda even before he chose Chelsea) - I think he's a fine little player but he's still not as devastating as Harry Kewell when fit in my book. They can both score great goals from distance, but Kewell is stronger and more dangerous running with the ball.

 

Mancini would be my first choice though who is an exciting dribbler of the ball; he can play both sides which I think is important bearing in mind Kewell's injury problems and the fact that we may want to play Gerrard centrally in certain games.

 

In an ideal world I'd sign him and Simao, that would give us real depth of quality in wide areas, a lot of flexibility as both of them can play on either wing, plus the capability to play with five in midfield yet still be very attacking. In that formation I've always thought Kewell can be an outstanding option just off the striker as well.

Edited July 2, 2007 by Leo No.8

[Guest westang]

also don't forget harry is an excellent header of the ball -- a quality that we will miss very badly now that garcia is virtually gone...