I think most Reds fans hoped/expected (delete as appropriate) Harry Kewell’s Turkish adventure to be a big expensive failure, but he’s done pretty well and started this season with a bang scoring in this Europa Cup Qualifier. Milan Baros also put away a very Baros type goal. Proof that there is life after Anfield, just not a very enjoyable one!
In times of yore, armies laying siege to a well-fortified citadel would occasionally resort to catapulting rotten plague-infected corpses over the city walls. In a modern day homage to this, Liverpool have lobbed craptastic cripple Harry Kewell over Hadrian’s Wall and towards Glasgow. Thankfully, for Celtic fans, Gordon Strachan appears to be having cold feet:
“The prospect of Kewell teaming up with his compatriot, Scott McDonald, at Celtic Park might offer a potential increase in commercial revenue from merchandising back in Australia but Kewell’s injury-plagued five years at Anfield, after signing from Leeds United in 2003, is scaring off suitors. In addition, Celtic have had their fingers burnt in recent seasons by big-money acquisitions, such as Thomas Gravesen, from Real Madrid, who have failed to deliver.” (Times)
Would anyone really roll out the red carpet at Celtic Park for this footballing plague victim?
It will come as no great surprise to hear that Harry Kewell is leaving Liverpool after five seasons at the club. When the Australian arrived from Leeds United in 2003, he was regarded as one of the hottest players in the Premier League but perpetual injuries have seen him play just a minor role for the Reds every season. Amazingly he did get to start the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul before being subbed due to (yes, you’ve guessed it) injury.
Sky Sports reports that RafaelBenitez has given Kewell and his agent short shrift over the possibility of a new deal and that the winger will be moving to pastures new in the summer. It appears that a certain Norwegian full-back with a penchant for scoring spectacular own goals could be joining him.
“We have tried to come to an agreement with the player and his agent, but that has not been possible,” said Benitez.
“Kewell will leave the club at the end of his contract.
“With Riise and the rest of the players they have one or more years left on their contracts, so he is still our player at the moment and he knows if we receive a good offer – good for him and the club – it could be…
“But he is still our player and I am really pleased with him because he is a fantastic professional,” added Benitez.
Presumably Liverpool fans won’t be sad to see Kewell leave Anfield, although the same might not be said of Riise, who has done pretty well during his seven years at the club. The Norwegian has managed 33 goals for the Reds, which isn’t bad for someone who’s played mainly as a full-back.
Harry Kewell might boast of a European Cup triumph to his grandson in the future but right now it is his Liverpool future that is hitting the headlines. The injury plagues Australian international has been reportedly struggling for a contract extension with the Merseyside club but the player himself has rebuffed such talks and insists that he shall stay on at Anfield for a long time,.
I want to stay at Liverpool and I’m going to be working hard to get another contract. I think this is a great club. I was out on the pitch the other night and I said to Yossi (Benayoun) that Anfield has the best atmosphere in the world. Why would you want to leave?
Strings of injuries have curbed Kewell from performing consistently at his otherwise lofty level and with Liverpool now looking for some changes in their squads, there are many who feel that the Kop would be better without the former Leeds United player.
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