When Harry Kewell limped off to ear-splitting whistles from Liverpool fans 23 minutes into the Champions League final against AC Milan two years ago, few of us present could have believed he would get a second chance in a European Cup final.
Yet two years on, and at the end of a season ruined by injury, it seems the erratic Australian might have timed his recovery just in time for a shot at redemption.
Many people who were critical of Kewell’s selection in Istanbul — and that was just about everyone, it seemed — will have been surprised at comments this week from Rafa Benitez that Kewell is on the verge of a place in the team for the final in Athens against the same opponents.
As Tom Harness notes at Sportingo, you can see why the manager is tempted, though. Liverpool have had a problem on the left side all season, with Mark Gonzalez yet to show his best in the English game. Kewell at his best (and he was pretty good against Charlton, by all accounts) could cause the Milan defence a few problems.
But what do the fans think? Would picking Kewell make sense, despite his lack of
competitive action? Or does it sound more like a piece of superstition, picking the same player because, you know, it did turn out alright in the end two years ago? We can all be obsessive about following the same pre-match ritual after all.
It just leaves one question. Is there still time to re-sign Didi Hamann and bring him into the team? Just for the second half of course…
Kevin Fylan, Berlin
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9 comments so far
I have nothing against the hemispherically challenged shiny boy, but it seems unfair that he hasn’t helped Liverpool make it to Athens, yet he’ll get at least a runner-up-billy-medal if he makes the team.
Saying that, the yogic-flying Benitez may have a cunning plan to recreate that Instanbul come-back spirit.
- Posted by Welsh GothIt could be superstition, or maybe Benitez and his mates have a wager on which injury takes Kewell out of action this time.
- Posted by fionaI nearly didn’t comment because the qualifying sum was a bit hard.
But now I’m here - I wouldn’t pick Crocodile Harry for a lads and dads side, but I suppose we’d have a convenient blame monkey if we lost. Some comfort to fans, but I suspect scant consolation to those squad members who’ve actually played this season.
- Posted by HerculesI think you’re giving him a bit of a hard time. It goes without saying he’s going to play. In fact I’d go as far as saying that the gout ridden antipodean will bring a little bit of culture to the final(….culture that is so missing from his home land….tee hee).
He will be in the side or on the bench, and at the expense Robbie Fowler to boot, which will further annoy the loyal reds followers. He’ll get away with it if we win, but if we loose he will be on his way…..(probably to everton just to twist the knife).
- Posted by JimIf this Aussie can produce the same kind of performance in the World Cup, by all means put him in.
If not, send him back down under to play in the A-league
- Posted by Five TimesI must admit I did think the idea that Kewell would play was nuts, but if it means Zenden doesn’t get a game I’m all for it. Bring back Djimi Traore too!
- Posted by RafaI think Kewell limped out of last years FA cup final at half time. What odds he doesn’t last the whole game this time round.
- Posted by JimMy money’s on him missing the penalty that gives the cup to milan. he’s going to be the story one way or another anyway.
- Posted by Rafawhen will the scousers learn?
- Posted by aidyAnother non english player! yes he’s Austrailian, yes he can kick a football. i’d like to think the Liverpool training consists of the midfield kicking a ball 40 yards, trying to hit a telegraph pole, then trying to get a ball out wide to an absent ausie.
Either way at least it’s not SCUM or CHELSEA!. Football in this country has died on it’s feet, or on it’s fat behind (just like all the overseas imports)