Matthew Hall
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Why All The Hate, Haters?
Did Harry Kewell murder someone's favourite grandmother?
The amount of vindictive bile sprayed in his direction over the past week has been eye opening.
The storm clouds had been gathering ever since Liverpool fans booed him from the pitch as he hobbled out of the 2005 Champions League Final in Istanbul, an adductor muscle snapped in two.
But last week, the clouds got heavy and burst big time.
Intriguingly, the British media dropped a deluge on Kewell, branding the Socceroo an "expensive flop" who had "cost" Liverpool a "staggering" $328,000 a game over five years.
The tidbits hit the headlines, softening up the Liverpool public just days before Rafael Benitez publicly declared what those in the know (and what The Sun-Herald told readers months ago) considered old news.
Kewell HAD been offered a new contract by Liverpool several months ago but turned it down.
Most of us, too, would not agree to a one-year deal from our employer on drastically reduced financial terms when, in the ruthless and unsentimental world of professional sport, there are far better options elsewhere.
The stats show that - yes - injury prevented Kewell from making as many appearances for Liverpool over his five-year deal as everyone would have liked.
But claims that Kewell cost Liverpool big money for doing nothing is either naive, poorly informed, or just vindictive.
So why all the hate?
Players are club assets, they're insured against injury, and so Kewell's absence from injury has cost Liverpool very little except the extra success it may have had on the field had he taken part in more games.
Liverpool's insurance premiums may have risen, just like at Manchester United because of injury to Wayne Rooney, but then Liverpool, or its billionaire American owners, could afford it because of the MASSIVE financial windfalls from successful recent Champions League campaigns of which a certain H. Kewell directly contributed to.
Still, the hate continues.
The British media - The Sun, The Daily Mail, The Liverpool Echo, and The Evening Standard - blew their load on Kewell's misfortune.
Apparently other "expensive" long-term absentees like Manchester United's Gary Neville (remember him?) and Milan's Ronaldo are free from criticism and rightly so.
Being injured at a professional football club is purgatory.
Being long-term injured is Hell.
(Let's not mention Andriy Shevchenko, absent from Chelsea's ranks not because he's crook but simply deemed expensively surplus to requirements.)
It's not just the Brits.
Embarrassingly, would-be Australian pundits, who wouldn't know one end of Stanley Park from the other, nor (closer to home) how to get to Brenan Street, Smithfield, have since jumped on the bandwagon.
Toot-toot, indeed.
So why the hate?
Seriously?
What has Kewell done to inspire so many people with such strong opinions?
It's not like he's a careless party animal whose idea of rehab is picking up transvestite hookers in Rio nightclubs.
The Australian's idea of a wild time is a playfight with his kids in the family's romper room.
Or, if he really wears his party hat, lunch with Lucas Neill and their respective partners at a Manchester restaurant.
Is it jealously?
Schadenfreude - celebrating the misfortune of others?
Insecurity?
Reflected self-loathing?
Is the world suddenly full of Everton supporters?
The Kewell critics could be a whole untapped market for psychologists.
Interestingly, Kewell is not the only talented Australian player whose most promising career hit a rock just before an Aussie flag could be planted at the summit of world football.
For Kewell at Liverpool, see also Ned Zelic at Borussia Dortmund, Paul Okon at Lazio, and - with a whole different story - Mark Bosnich at Manchester United and then Chelsea.
Maybe Australia's best players are just made of glass.
In literary terms, Kewell now faces an intriguing Second Act.
It will be a very interesting summer in Europe where that dinner Kewell's manager had with Juventus officials in Rome last January (there, I've said it) may be end up being claimed as a tax expense.
Which, I'm sure, many people would just hate.
COMMENTS
Not so much hate, as querying why a hugely limited soccer player, which the Australian will laud to the skies IF he should decide to 'grace' them with his presence, has earned so much money, on an almost permanent sicknote. To be honest, Liverpool made a huge mistake acquiring him in the first place.
Not only that, but when and if, and no question about it, he, like many other Aussie soccer players abroad, are asked to play for their country, the usual excuses are trotted out.
Kewell, put simply is a non-entity in the real soccer sense, and who only knows how to score a quid.
- by TareeDawg on May 10, 2008 at 07:40 PM
I think people are just disappointed, and it is being misdirected towards the player. When he joined Liverpool from Leeds he was at the top of his game and could have gone on to be not only Australia's best player but one of the best players in the EPL. Instead he has indeed been a flop, albeit through no fault of his own. I do think a little more sympathy is in order, but I can understand the response even though I don't agree with it.
- by Nick on May 10, 2008 at 07:45 PM
Just rubishhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, Harry can play in a four divition leage in South America, he is not good.
- by chicho on May 10, 2008 at 08:32 PM
good call mate. hes done mnothing worng but get injured.
cheers
- by steven on May 10, 2008 at 08:34 PM
Schadenfraude.... you saw that episode of Boston Legal as well!
Sport is business...but the fans who buy the papers still have the emotions. Imagine being George Steinbrenner III. His New York Yankess have cost him lmost $2billion since they last won a world series in 2000. Before you choke, he can afford it. But the fans who buy the papers don't remember the money only the championships...
- by Joe on May 10, 2008 at 08:45 PM
Where do I start correcting this article?
- HK didnt realistically help Liverpool progress through the CL and his appearance in the Final was a joke
- He hasn't been himself since 18month either side of Leeds (and his off-side, but great, goal that saw us get thru the group stages in the World Cup)
- If you want to call a football player an "asset" in business terms; he is like a faulty machine. Out of service so why would you use it?
- the list goes on...
BOTTOM LINE though is that the Aussie media has pumped him up well beyond his zimmerframe in the last 4-5 years, so yes -when it costs $300k a game (most at liverpool were as a sub), yes its fair to give the guy a little stick!
And saying the owners are billionaires so it doesnt matter? give me a break...
According to Liverpool stats, when Liverpool won the Champions League in 2005, Harry made 12 appearances out of the 15 matches they played in that Champions League campaign. Steven Gerrard made 10. That's a contribution. MH
- by monkeyboy on May 10, 2008 at 08:53 PM
Well said Matthew! I think it was the tatoos and haircut didn't help, but the real reason is a deep seeded insecurity amongst the English that Australia might come and compete on an equal footing to them on 'their' sport.
- by TokyoB on May 10, 2008 at 08:56 PM
Don't surprise me all this mud thrown. I watch all the EPL on Australian TV, and can't believe how most of the Australian players are picked out by English commentors for continued on field crictism, particularily Schwarzer. Of all the Aussies, Cahill is seemingly the exception to the rule. It seems to be in the English blood to keep the colonial upstarts in their place.
- by jay on May 10, 2008 at 09:09 PM
Poms are just wingers and love trying to get one over Aussies. They can never forget the last 3-1 score line on their home soil, where Harry had a blinder! This is there pathetic form of a payback. I can't wait for a pommies reply, can see it now, was only a friendly, we were not trying. I can just see Beck's and the crew saying, there you go Harry, run around us and make us look stupid, it's only a friendly!
- by Al in China on May 10, 2008 at 09:24 PM
Probly the worst written blog Ive read.
- by keith on May 10, 2008 at 09:32 PM
Harry Kewell is ALL CLASS - unlike his critics
- by The 'Fish on May 10, 2008 at 09:36 PM
I too have been shocked at how malicious people have been about a once-great player brought low by injury, through absolutely no fault of his own. Why Kewell has attracted such vitriol is a mystery. I remember when his abductor failed him in Istanbul, one British hack said that all Australian claims to sporting masculinity limped off the pitch with him. This is astonishing - considering that professional footballers behave like hysterical 2 year olds when brushed with a feather, and that as soon as, say, a tennis player finishes a match on a twisted ankle, sports writers everywhere attribute to them a courage akin to French Resistance fighters. There's not an athlete alive that could play on a snapped abductor, yet Kewell is hounded like some wilful saboteur of the Reds' fortunes. Take and combine all the disappointment of the Liverpool fans, and the kick-em-when-they're-down brigade of "journalists", and it will not come close to the heartache and frustration that he has had to live through over five seasons. Disgusting.
- by Steve on May 10, 2008 at 09:37 PM
Matt,
You seem sensitive about your mate Harry (or is it Bernie Mandic you are looking to impress?).
When Harry Kewell was shown the door by Liverpool, most English papers dedicated about three or four paragraphs. Using the old games to cash ratio, all in the name of a few laughs. He wasn't the first footballer to get the treatment and he won't be the last.
He is a pretty easy target though, no real public persona, the show biz wife, fondness for the folding stuff, beckham-lite really.
As to why Australian fans have joined the fun? Who knows, maybe they feel that after all the song and dance of him signing for Liverpool with the appearances with his best mate Ray Martin on ACA they would have expected more. While he does the medals, few could argue he played at anywhere near the level he did for Leeds.
But maybe the most interesting line was "would-be Australian pundits you wouldn't know blah blah blah".
Matt as the game grows in this country so will the number of people who have an opinion about the game which may be different to yours, the old my street map is bigger than yours argument hardly means anything. I mean, you've never played the game at a higher level that futsal at Sydney Uni but should that be counted against you and "Sick as a Parrot"?
Kewell is gone, no one cried, get over it.
Steve, now you've got me filled with self doubt. As EVERYONE knows, my playing career peaked when I scored against Spearwood Dalmatinac in the D'Orsogna Cup.
- by Steve on May 10, 2008 at 09:55 PM
Hate? Haters? Jealously? Self-Loathing? Insecurity? .... Mathew Hall don't you think you are being a little over dramatic? No different to the English press really?
Next minute you’re going to be telling us he will be coming back to Australia to finish his career in the A League because he feels it’s "his duty" to give something back to the game at the grass roots level.
The reason Harry probably won't be at Liverpool next year is simply because he over values himself as a player these days and would rather go to a club that will take 12-18 months to work out he is lame duck and claim him on the insurance!
Footnote: Lived in the UK for 20 years and still support Leeds United after 35+ years.
CG
- by Colin G on May 10, 2008 at 10:04 PM
i will tell you why hes not the most liked player ok,hes a liar, he has lied so many times telling everyone hes fit to play,or i need a couple more weeks,and all the while hes taking money for sitting on his ass and laughing at how easy it is to fool everyone !He has prevented a fully fit player from taking his place,jeez people are not stupid i saw this 3 seasons ago i am just surprised he got away with it so long,he took money under false pretences and should be ashamed of his behaviour!
- by will hale on May 10, 2008 at 10:27 PM
Amazing yet again to see the Harry Kewell fan club out in force again. Absolute drivel of a blog. Easiest way to drum up some Aussie sentiment for one of their own. P.s. It was a friendly in London. P.p.s It was a penalty against Grosso. Grow up and get a proper league of your own so you can talk about Aussie football rather than broken Aussies not delivering to the level they can overseas. Sad.
- by SW on May 10, 2008 at 10:34 PM
Matthew,
Reading your articles is painful. Your lack of understanding is blatantly obvious when you have the misfortune to read your views. So pro-aussie, you're just playing to the crowd and saying everything Aussies abroad have done is fantastic is just pathetic. Try being independent and objective. The plain facts are that despite the talent Kewell has and a poor injury run, he hasn't delivered to the level we all know he can - even when fit - and doesn't warrant another go at Liverpool. Plain and simple. Cahill is loved - even by Reds - for a devotion to the shirt and a willingness to give 110% at every opportunity. You could hardly say the same of Harry and putting him in the same sentance as the likes of Neville and Ronaldo for what they have delivered for their respective clubs shows you up. Get out more Matthew.
- by Jonah on May 10, 2008 at 10:49 PM
WHY ARE THEY ALL COMPLAINING, LEEDS WERE ROBBED in the first place was going to leave under bosman rule and LEEDS eventually got around 3 million pounds when at the time was valued at 12 million. what comes around goes around
LEEDS 4 LIFE
- by oli on May 10, 2008 at 10:59 PM
As a Liverpool fan, I'm trying to recall where he did anything to help us win a CL game ?
- by New York Mike on May 10, 2008 at 11:00 PM
Harry is a loser, and I am glad the British press had the sense and guts to say it. He is an embarrassment to this country, my only hope is that the British do not think he is representative of Australia. Because Harry is merely an expensive flop and a big wuss to boot.
- by Joe Conti on May 10, 2008 at 11:06 PM
He left his best years with Leeds. When he was on his game he was as good as any top flight European player. Harry has had more than his fair share of injuries but what I suspect people are disgruntled about (besides his hefty pay cheque) was his apparent lack of heart. When he did manage to get on the pitch his heart didn't appear to be in it. Just compare him to Gerard who wears his heart on his sleeve & bleeds Liverpool. Harry (rightly or wrongly) didn't give the fans that impression. I honestly think his confidence was shot & the added pressure to perform while coming back time & time again from injury got a bit much. But anyone who says he is over rated doesn't know football. Harry at his prime was sublime. He deserved that Liverpool money. He would have got that or more in Italy or Spain.
- by Joe on May 10, 2008 at 11:08 PM
Kewell has been free-loading on LFC his entire tenure. And I DO know one side of Anfield from the other, my club since 1962 and since living in Oz, being there at least once each year.
Kewell is not very bright, but he is very greedy! All I can say is good riddance Harry - you are a legend in your own bath-time!! And the Socceroos don't need you either. Another self-serving ego that the greatest club in the world can do without!!
- by Alastair from Perth on May 10, 2008 at 11:16 PM
Probly the worst written blog Ive read.
by keith on May 10, 2008 at 09:32 PM
Probably the worst written blog comment I've read.
The blog, however, is pretty spot on - can you imagine not being able to do what you love, being able to contribute to your team and employer, and not being able to represent your team and country because of injuries beyond your control? It must have been tough for him. Maybe a fresh start will do him some good.
I think some of the comments here have proved my point more. MH
- by Ben on May 10, 2008 at 11:35 PM
he is one of the laziest players i have ever seen in the premiership. the socceroo's are far better without him
- by p on May 11, 2008 at 12:44 AM
he is one of the laziest players i have ever seen in the premiership. the socceroo's are far better without him
- by p on May 11, 2008 at 12:44 AM
Seriously, listen to all you little men who are soo outraged about Harry - after all YOU would've been out there giving your all even with two broken legs, 10 torn abductor muscles, 47.5 broken ribs, a bad case of prickly heat and an ingrown eyelash because of course YOU wouldn't be doing it for the money, if you'd only been given half the chance and half the talent. Oh the injustice of it all!
Still, I can understand your fury and disappointment - let's face it, you lead such small lives that a win or loss from your team is the most significant thing to happen in your week, so I can see how Harry's injuries...well, it's like he's deliberately gone out and inflicted nasty injuries on himself in a deliberate attempt to besmirch your dream while he laughs all the way to the bank. Boo hoo.
- by And you call women bitches? on May 11, 2008 at 12:50 AM
Liverpool fans are notorious for being bitter and fickle, no doubt due to being overshadowed by Man U, Chelsea, Arsenal et al. for the past 2 decades. Essentially, they live in the past, and will scapegoat anyone because they dont win titles these days.
This may, in part explain their hatred of Kewell. All he is guilty of is being injury prone.
As for monkeyboy , sounds to me you are a little un Australian, mate. Get behind and stick up for the local lads, dont fall into the British trap of being bitter and negative.....
Good luck Harry, hope you go to the Hammers!
- by Sven on May 11, 2008 at 12:51 AM
Let's face it Harry is probably the most influential player Australia has produced. Before he went to Leeds bugger all young players were poached to play in the EPL. He has had a big influence in lifting the profile of Football in Australia. Does anyone really degrudge him from earning a sqillion playing football for a living. He has been injured and played shite for most of the time he has been at Liverpool but he got us into the knock out stage of WC2006 and it is not out of reality that he will have a few more decent years in the EPL with another club. (Newcastle me thinks) Plus he is one of the few Australian players with any class and should be picked for his country whenever he is 80% fit. Long live Harry ..... even if his best football may be behind him.
- by cj on May 11, 2008 at 01:26 AM
Harry scored 7 goals for Liverpool in the first half of his first season along side Michael Owen, I remember Houlier saying he had then lost the two players who scored most of their goals, he was also voted man of the match in a CL semi final a couple of years ago. I suspect years of pom bashing have not gone unnoticed in England.
As far as the money`s concerned, most people would agree that nearly all the players and owners in the premier league are foreigners who are there for the money.
- by Greg Tuckwell on May 11, 2008 at 01:35 AM
Who is Harry Kewell?
- by George on May 11, 2008 at 01:36 AM
I agree totally. I mean he might have been a waste of money, but no-one, that I'm aware of, put a gun to Liverpool's head and told them to sign him. This is life, I mean you might buy a second hand car, who performed great for it's first owner, but unfortunately some parts failed with the next owner and they are disappointed after going through a series of repairs and eventually selling them to another owner for a fraction of the price. I'm not saying Harry is a lemon here but it's life, it's not the first time it's happened and won't be the last.
Also, I really don't want to put this off topic, but on S.W's comment about Grosso, being a penalty. It wasn't a penalty BUT unfortunately for the Socceroos it was the referee trying to justify for sending that Italian player off, when in fairness he shouldn't have been. it sucks he choose the last minute of play to make the justification but we have to move on and think about the next WC in 2010, which so far so good we should qualify for!!!
- by Wanimac on May 11, 2008 at 01:49 AM
The criticism has been a bit harsh and have missed the mark as injuries can be out of your own control.
However, what I feel he should be criticisd for is his lack of loyalty and commitment o the club for 1 extra year on reduced wages when Liverpool have been loyal to him (even with a new contract which he did not deserve!).
Being a Liverpool fan for my entire life, I was disappointed to hear that Harry turned down the new contract. Harry says he's a Liverpool fan, but this rejection confirms some of the criticsims levelled at him.
- by PaulG23 on May 11, 2008 at 02:05 AM
Dude, no-one cares what happens in England, let alone in the piss-stained trackie dack Scouseland... ;-) but back on message - MH, I'm intrigued - who'd you score for ? and did you put it past the great Zabica himself ?
Subiaco City. I may be a veteran but The Legend was a few years ahead of me!. It was a 2-2 draw. They smashed us in the replay.
- by John Freshini on May 11, 2008 at 02:28 AM
The expectations of Liverpool were high, they wanted someone on the Left who would be as devasting as C.Ronaldo consisitently.
Blame the modern English game for the waste of cash, its not Kewells fault. At least he had the guts to TRY and play that Champs League final. He could of sat on his arse at home and there would have been no critisism.
- by Fletch on May 11, 2008 at 02:40 AM
Yes, alright, we all agree that you are chummy with Harry and his people and have all the inside gossip before everyone else...that was the point of this blog entry wasn't it?
But as for Kewell, I don't mind the bloke and wish he had stayed performing at an elite level for his sake and the Socceroos' but there are reasons why he is getting some stick.
One is that, like all Premier League footballers, particularly those at the Sky 4, he is overpaid and pampered and lives in La La land. Alright so he loves his kids and plays with them - don't we all? Inflated ticket prices, Sky's manipulation of fixtures, a moneyed elite taking over the people's game etc. are breeding resentment and it finds its outlet when the press hold up someone like Kewell, to ridicule. The press only give the people what they want after all.
There is 1 reason why he is getting extra treatment and you fail to mention it. His transfer to Liverpool was marred by the [EDITED] behaviour of his manager who structured the deal in such a way that he got a much higher than normal cut than usual out of trading the top asset in his portfolio. At the time is was considered an example of football business and agent behaviour out of control.
As for blaming it all on injuries...hasn't he been fit all this season? When he's played he hasn't done a lot and, crucially, doesn't go past players anymore. Looks pretty average now actually...that's life.
Roma or Juventus? I don't think so. More like getting near A-league time
- by danmurf on May 11, 2008 at 02:58 AM
Seen enough football to know that during Harrys stay at Leeds we were wondering how far he could go? I suppose the main reason he is so disliked is that many of us were warming up to lovely career, only to be left guessing like the defences in his prime.
- by mickietee on May 11, 2008 at 03:07 AM
good article, im sick of hearing this rubbish criticism of kewell...
as a liverpool fan i am going to have real trouble recovering from this and they way they have passed him off
... he has suffered from injury and lost a couple of yards but put simply he just havn't been given the chance in the last year or tow to prove everyone wrong... he helped us against marsille in CL no end, and then when he came off the bench against barnsley he nearly broke the game apart, and he hit the corss bar from 35 yards out...
since then he hasnt figured. why? because he is unfit/injurred? hmmmmmm... i think rafa didnt want him to come back out and and show why he deserved another contract, fair enough - liberpool spent enough without a huge return but beware now boys because given the chance (injury free) he could rip it apart again... and im thinking we are going to wonder why we didnt use him.
good luck to him, he will succeed at a club who values him again, just like leeds did, this is not the last we have seen of him
- by aidan on May 11, 2008 at 03:49 AM
good article, im sick of hearing this rubbish criticism of kewell...
as a liverpool fan i am going to have real trouble recovering from this and they way they have passed him off
... he has suffered from injury and lost a couple of yards but put simply he just havn't been given the chance in the last year or tow to prove everyone wrong... he helped us against marsille in CL no end, and then when he came off the bench against barnsley he nearly broke the game apart, and he hit the corss bar from 35 yards out...
since then he hasnt figured. why? because he is unfit/injurred? hmmmmmm... i think rafa didnt want him to come back out and and show why he deserved another contract, fair enough - liberpool spent enough without a huge return but beware now boys because given the chance (injury free) he could rip it apart again... and im thinking we are going to wonder why we didnt use him.
good luck to him, he will succeed at a club who values him again, just like leeds did, this is not the last we have seen of him
- by aidan on May 11, 2008 at 03:49 AM
I live in London and although the bile directed by the tabloids towards Harry is over the top, the fact is that he is a celebrity in this country. Why else would he splash his family all over the latest edition of Hello or OK! magazine?!
As a lifelong supporter of Liverpool, he's been a huge disappointment - especially since he's been on £76K a week!. As a supporter of the Socceroos, he has been a champion player. Who could forget his effort against Croatia in Germany '06?
He'd be better off at a smaller club where hopefully he can rebuild his career at 29. One hopes he finishes his career at Sydney FC but I doubt his Chav wife will allow it.
- by RedFelsy on May 11, 2008 at 04:57 AM
Well I have to say that this is all news to me. OK so I'm an Arsenal supporter and as such I'm not really up on all the news from the Kop, but as far as I knew Harry was well liked just about everywhere north of the Watford Gap.
So please don't go bashing poms * en masse*.....after all Harry like's Poms..he married one ;)
- by Janie on May 11, 2008 at 05:48 AM
For the number of games Kewell has played, compared to the price on his head when he signed for Liverpool and his potential, he has been an 'expensive flop' - I can't see how you can argue with that.
- by Steve on May 11, 2008 at 07:40 AM
I think you're being a bit precious if you think Kewell is being singled out for criticism for some sinister reason. There's no denying that for the player he was his time at Liverpool (whether his own fault or not- that's another debate) has been a dissappointing failure.
A couple of paragraphs in two or three papers is hardly a national campaign of 'Harry bashing' (Does the Liverpool Echo qualify as British tabloid media!?).
Let's just hope he's over his injuries and he can get a run of games under his belt. Personally, I've got my fingers crossed he's going to sign for Norwich but there's been no "My Uncle saw him buying an apartment in Norwich" stories yet!!
Ha ha. I'm sure you'll get the Norwich scoop here first! . MH
- by Jonny P on May 11, 2008 at 07:55 AM
If Harry Kewell is the reason for "deep seeded insecurity amongst the English that Australia might come and compete on an equal footing to them on 'their' sport" then the poms haven't really got much to worry about have they? he looked ok for just about long enough to get an over-generous contract out of Liverpool and has subsequently offered nothing. He's been unlucky with injuries of course but on the rare occasion he's been fit he's been useless. If he gets a gig at another big club he'll be luckier than a double lottery winner.
- by Loztralia on May 11, 2008 at 08:00 AM
I've seen it in Spain the better you are the harder the defenders tackle you, the pressure is unbeliavable for the attacker. I always thought Kewell wasn't strong enough to withstand an 80kg mean machine at full speed ripping into him for 90 minutes, every pound that he earned at Liverpool he deserves it.
- by alfie on May 11, 2008 at 09:09 AM
I met a Pom back in 1990 who gave me a heap of bile about what a gutless swine Craig Johnston was for leaving Liverpool and how he 'ran away'. I asked him what he thought Johnston was running from, since he left due family illness back in Australia. No sane answer was forthcoming. The anti-Kewell stuff is the same irrational drivel. They forgive nothing.
- by Grant on May 11, 2008 at 09:10 AM
If its true that Liverpool offered him a contract and he rejected it, I think its very low especially how Liverpool stuck by him all those years he was out injured. He is a greedy f**ker and I hope he has many more injuries!!
- by Steve on May 11, 2008 at 09:42 AM
Matthew Hall is only being nice to Harry because he is his mate. Everyone knows that Harry and his agent give Matthew exclusives. The truth is that Harry's record at Liverpool was poor. Once Harry signs a new contract with another club, then we'll see how faithful he is to his country. But he's 29 now and it's all a bit late. There are other players available that can take his place in the national team.
- by Dean on May 11, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Jealousy, a love to see the mighty fall, denial of his huge talents and all he has done for Australia - Harry will rise again
- by Hugo Uribe on May 11, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Kewell was a one, maybe two, season wonder back at Leeds... he played some magic games back then... unfortunately, those glory days are long gone.
- by Brenton Barry on May 11, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Lets get things Straight! Hate is a strong word. People are rightly disappointed with Kewell. That doesn't mean they "hate him". He has been nothing but a flop since leaving Leeds, when one considers what was expected of him. Comparing him to Ronaldo or Neville, as you wrongly do, only makes things worse. Kewell "was" a brilliant talent, but he's not in the same league as these 2 as far as delivering the goods, and to suggest or compare him like you do only discredits you as an unbiased judge. I am a fan of Kewell's natural skill and potential, but was constantly dissapointed by his commitment and performances for Oz. If I were to support Liverpool, I would be livid to think we had paid so much for so little return. £130,000.00 per week is not to be sneezed at, even by todays standards! Small minded Aussies with chips on there shoulders thinking the Poms hate Kewell because he's an Aussie don't help the cause. They give it to there own if they don't perform too, (Lampard, Gerrard, Beckham, even Rooney). Grow up! Al in China. I was at that game in Upton park when we beat the Poms. Big deal! So he played well 6 years ago. If aussies want to be part of "The World Game" we need to get to the point where it's not a crime to criticise an Australian footballer. As an Aussie, this small mans syndrome is embarrassing. Kewell was a flop! Live wtih it!
- by Brett on May 11, 2008 at 10:59 AM
BTW (übrigens) it's "Schadenfreude". Great piece of journalism. You've really not a clue, do you?
- by Brett on May 11, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Kewell was superb at Leeds. Nobody argues about that, even the howling tabloid hacks.
Injuries have wrecked his career. What the critics fail to understand is that, as well as being physically fragile, the guy is now psychologically scarred; that is, every time he does manage to make it back on the field, he's (understandably)terrified of sustaining another injury. This makes him tentative and causes the buffoons to shriek about 'lack of heart' etc. They don't see him flinging himself into tackles and they don't like it. Well- your precious Steven Gerrard would be no different if his body kept breaking dowm.
So- The perception about 'lack of heart' is just that- a perception. It has no basis in reality. Socceroos fans (and I mean real fans who have watched all Australia games for many years, not the recent bandwagon jumpers) will know that every time he plays for us, he puts in 100%.
Consider this: We would not have edged past Uruguay to qualify for the WC in the first place and we would not have edged past Croatia in the group stages, were it not for Kewell. That is a simple fact.
As for now- Where I don't agree with M Hall is this talk of his future. I suspect (tragic as it is) that Kewell has very little future, because his body (and now his mind) are just too fragile. The only way he can get his mind right again is by playing injury free for a long time. The only way he can do that is for his body to allow it. Actually- he'd probably be better off coming to Australia in an A-league marquee spot now, where there are less matches and his body might have more chance of coping. (Until he got hacked down by Kevin Muscat.)
- by stephano on May 11, 2008 at 11:16 AM
The biggest mistake Liverpool made was hiring their physio and Medical team. They misdiagnosed Kewell and stuffed him up.
So I think the amount Kewell earnt out of Liverpool was most appropriate and probably not enough
- by JC on May 11, 2008 at 11:17 AM
The biggest mistake Liverpool made was hiring their physio and Medical team. They misdiagnosed Kewell and stuffed him up.
So I think the amount Kewell earnt out of Liverpool was most appropriate and probably not enough
- by JC on May 11, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Why bother, keith? Probably the most pointless blog addition I've read.
- by Richard on May 11, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Listen, Harry got injured but he also wasn't the same footballer once he left Leeds. That is what hurt him the most. He is over rated and that is being fair. I'm no professional footballer or I wouldn't be placing this blog response, however you gotta be fair. He isn't top shelf material. He is a good team man but no star. Sorry Harry. He is however streets ahead of that other Australian hack Mark Viduka.
- by The Don Q.C. on May 11, 2008 at 11:39 AM
I am puzzled as where Harry Kewell's contribution in the Champs League can be found! Mr Hall you need to re-assess your information sources. It seems that you get your info about our harry from our media which knows very little. Kewell has been an profound dissapointment for Liverpool. He came with huge tickets and left with nothing. People in Liverpool are pissed with Harry because they (arguably the poorest in Britain) indirectly pay Harry to live the flashy life which they cant even dream about. He deserves all the stick. He was a pathetic player and good riddance to him and his undeserved millions.
- by Khaldoun Hajaj on May 11, 2008 at 11:41 AM
As far as I can see this is a workers comp case, he got hurt at work so gets paid till he's fit, his contract runs out or he is paid out. Maybe he should have cut up the half time oranges till he was better. Anyway Harry's a big boy he can defend himself, noone likes their mum fighting their battles.
- by Dave on May 11, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Im a kewell fan...but honestly, not taking the one year contract was a slap in the face for liverpool. At some point it has to be recognised that Kewell owes them big. He was entitled to all the benefits of his wages, and the support which the club has given him, but he owed them at least one year on reduced terms as a sine of respect for what the club (not necessarily the supporters) has done.
- by daniel on May 11, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Some old fashioned part of me thinks Kewell should have accepted reduced terms at Liverpool. It's not as if he needs the money. Personally I'd feel a little guilty spending more time on the sidelines than on the field while accepting an enormous pay cheque every week. I think I'd feel I'd been supported for five years by my club without being able to give back to the club (because of injury). ANother year, hopefully fit, could provide a kind of thank you to Liverpool. And Kewell could prove a point.
- by Chester on May 11, 2008 at 11:52 AM
MONKEYBOY just ahd to post again...
How on earth could a blog ONLY about Harry turn into something about Colonialism / Pom bashing & Chelski???
Jay, Al & TokyoB - I think you'll find the Emglish media BEAT on nearly everybody! (AUS media only chops you down when your on the up).
The UK media are relentless regardless weather you are an MP, pop star or a football player (successful or not). Strangely Tim Cahill and Michael Owen seem to be immune to this
PS - A lone 3-1 win over the poms is great work, but again - it was 4 years ago!
And to the chump that turned this into some Drogba transfer speculation... Im still confused on that posts relevance.
SUMMARY: HK - talented and the best we have, did well at Leeds ages ago and in spurts for the national side since.
Since then has been constantly injured - so ineffective. $300k+ a bench-warming game is an insult to anyone who's worked a hard days work in their life.
Result: He gets / deserves [some] of the stick and could probably only redeem himself by joining the A league or announcing he's going to get into the coaching staff of the Soccerwhos.
- by monkeyboy on May 11, 2008 at 11:55 AM
There's only one Harry Kewell!
I am very disappointed that Rafa wasn't prepared to make it possible for Harry to stay at Liverpool for one more season--it could be a decison that comes back to haunt Rafa as LFC has no-one else on the left despite trying several next "new things" over the past few years without success. If LFC are to challegne for the league they need inventive, high quality players and Harry is certainly that.
I think Harry was and still is a sensational player. Anyone who has suffered such severe injuries as he has should be expected to take longer each time to get back to their best. This frustrating situation was only compounded by his next injury, which sapped his confidence and made it even harder for him to get back to his high standard of play, but Harry has persisted and has never given up and that takes more than just heart alone.
I've watched every LFC game telecast and can't remember Harry playing badly in any game. He is a consistent performer who is very inventive and game intelligent. He has sublime touch and always uses the ball well. Even this season his passes in tight situations put Torres through some even tighter spaces in the box to allow him to score and had the Liverpool faithful singing Harry's name once again.
I noticed how much longer it was taking Harry to find his top form each time he returned after injury and agree that he played a huge role in our last Champoins League win in 2005. He was the man of the match in the semi final against Chelsea and kept so much pressure on them that they couldn't really attack us at any point. I also recall him getting injured towards the end of that game after going flat out, which led to his snapped abductor muscle at the start of the CL final. Rafa had so much faith in Harry that he tried to nurse him to the final but it tragically all fell apart, but no-one in their right mind could accuse Harry of piking out on LFC. Rafa's continued faith in Harry proves that the man most affected, who was also closest to the coal face, had no qualms about HK's heart or ability.
Harry was electric against Chelsea again the next season in the FA semi final and his MoM performance won that game for us, but again he picked up an injury after building up his form and confidence in the games leading up to the semi final so that he could go flat out only to have his body let him down again. If you look at how Damien Duff has gone from being an electric left winger for Blackburn and Chelsea in his early years to something less than a sub for Newcastle you get some idea of the massive toll this level of play takes on one's body and Harry has been at it since he was 16.
I also find it hard to accept that people talk about Harry's "greed" when this is the same player who turned his back on Sir Alex's open cheque so that he could sign for his boyhood team. The world wanted Harry at almost any price but he only wanted LFC. How anyone can doubt this player's commitment to the Liverpool cause is beyond me and only indicates a lack of understanding of the game, its players, and the super-human expectation on players like Harry. I, too, ache to see Harry weave his magic again on the field because players of Harry's quality are so very rare. I would have preferred it to have been for my LFC but will be happy to see him playing for Juve if that's what it takes to allow this special player to grace a football field again.
I have no doubt that Harry is a special talent, the type of player who comes along once in a generation. It should be clear to all that Harry is a brave and mentally strong person who will put himself through anything to come back from such horrific injuries to get back to his best.
In addition, I simply can't understand why Rafa would not allow Harry to play full games earlier on this season when he was trying to recapture his fitness and form as he did leading up the 2005 CL and 2006 FA cup semi-finals where he singlehandedly blitzed Chelsea's best defenders. Rafa has insisted on subbing Harry even when he was playing well. He also has chosen to take off one of his best attacking options several times when the game was in the balance. Maybe if Rafa had kept faith in Harry LFC could have turned six of those draws into wins and we would be one point in front of MU and Chelsea going into tonight's last round needing a win to clinch our first title since 1990 and Harry would have been offered and signed a new three contract on even better money!
My money is on Harry to overcome his injury jinx and use his speed and ability more sparingly, but in the right places to prove all of his doubters wrong once more.
Good article, Matthew, keep telling it like it is.
- by Peter the red on May 11, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Matt,
Why are you always defending Harry Kewell ?
I gather you are friends ?
While he has done nothing wrong (I agree with you here) some of your article smacks of "promotion".
I don't think people hate him. I think they are just disappointed with what their club has got for their money.
No different to Scheva like you say. He is an overpriced, overrated flop.
Good player ? Yes. Great player by Australian standards right now ? No. Give me Neill, Cahill, McDonald any day.
You proudly boast of your relationship with Kewell and his unlicensed agent ... keep it balanced please.
- by Maddie on May 11, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Why is that an journalist who makes a living criticizing all things English, can get so emotional when an Aussie gets the same treatment? The comments in the press can hardly be described as hate, or is Harry above all criticism?
Lets face it, HK has been a huge dissappointment for Liverpool and lets not also forget that Kewell would have been a lot more expensive per game, had his manager not been able to arrange his transfer from Leeds for only $5m.
- by Neil on May 11, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Why don't all you Scousers stop crying and try to win a domestic title. Instead to show you utter failure once again, turn on one of your own. With all the infighting going on in that club of your's its easy to pick on Kewell to deflect you abject failure.
Go You MIGHTY Red Devils!
- by amx006 on May 11, 2008 at 12:07 PM
The UK media would have treated Harry differently if he played for the England side. The fact that he decided to play for Australia still irks them.
- by Ben James on May 11, 2008 at 12:10 PM
hay harry i love u n my son love you the aussies love you, its just poms are poms and there love trying to get one over us aussies, and all the best harry.
- by pacifico accetta on May 11, 2008 at 12:12 PM
I am a Liverpool supporter so Harry's 'failure' to shine has been disappointing. At one stage of his career at Leeds he looked as if he could be one of the best in England; arguably at that time he was as influential on the pitch as, say, Beckham. But injury has taken its toll, physically and mentally. The critisms are over the top but not unusual; that's jsut the English press - all players, even there very own, have copped it in equal measure. That said, I do feel Harry was over-rated. Even when he was fit, his performances were ordinary. I thought his contribution to the Socceroo's heroic efforts in Germany was peripheral. He spent too much time acting like a prima donna, diving, and berating the refs and screaming at opposing players who dared to tackle him. I can't recall the last time he actually hit a shot cleanly. He seems to have suffered the footballer's equivalent of golfers' putting yips. Rafa Benetiz was a Harry fan and showed huge faith in him, but in the end faith can only go so far, a player has to reward the faith that has been shown to him. Harry could not do that.
- by Gary on May 11, 2008 at 12:39 PM
It's a shame, the fact is he is immensely talent but simply too soft for EPL. A move to Italy or Spain where the game is a very different beast may be just what the doctor ordered (hopefully).
- by c on May 11, 2008 at 12:40 PM
anger at kewel, i think its sadness and disapointment that he hasnt been able to live up to his potential.
al in china, we are not whingers, we have opinions, an average aussie wouldnt know an opinion if one hit him in the face.
- by charlie dirk on May 11, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Wake up mate Harry Kewel's a joke. The question shouldn't be "why are people dishing hate on Kewel?" it should be "Why are so many Australians infatuated with a player who hasn't played a decent game of football in years?
- by Sam K on May 11, 2008 at 12:52 PM
As an Aussie Reds fan, it has been dissapointing to see how HK has played. Under Houllier he had a great start but due to all of his injuries, he has not become a favourite due to the fact, he never plays. The Kopites want to see heart from their players, and in their eyes he doesn't show it. He doesn't chase back in defense unlike the other MF's in the squad and really only started to do that this year and did get the adulation form the Kop, but it is way to late.
I had my Aussie flag at the ground once when HK was playing I got hammered for it.
Tim Cahil at Everton is loved by his supporters and the papers as well as he does show heart week in and out. Players in the epl that are generally respected such as Gareth Barry & Kevin Nolan and Timmy are Box to box players. HK will never be a box to box player, thus the criticism.
On his day (when he was at Leeds) he was one of the most feared players. But with the DODGY deal that his agent put together at a time where Leeds needed as much money to keep a float as a club, this is where the criticsim started.
The current deal that was put to him ie basically half of his 70,000 pound per week salary (just over 150K AUD) and a years deal was there for him to prove to Rafa that he can play a season without injury. He decided to turn his back on the club that has agian and again supported him.
Its hard loving your team as well as a player who plays for your national team as well. All I say to HK is to come home to the A-League as there will be hardly any clubs in Europe that will pay your wage expectations. With the amount of operations he has had, he will never be at the same level as his Leeds days.
He will not play at Juve I predict a spell at Celtic then he will come home
- by Oz_Scouser76 on May 11, 2008 at 01:01 PM
Some of the replies on here are ludicrous. In England, most Aussies are well liked and respected, so to say that 'The Poms' (yawn) have it in for Aussies in general is absolutely laughable and shows a chip on the shoulder mentality for some reason. The guy (Jay) who thinks the commentators are constantly picking on Australian footballers is a case in point - don't make me laugh. The tabloid media over there do go overboard a lot, and this is a case in point, but don't try to make it anything more than that.
- by Glenn Beckett on May 11, 2008 at 01:39 PM
People- It's "ADDUCTOR"
"Abductor" means kidnapper for god's sake!
- by stephano on May 11, 2008 at 02:28 PM
Average written story at best, Kewell while been a household name in London a few years ago is now known as one of the most over rated players by the Australian media.. yes he is on a big salary but has he justified it with on field performances? Definitely not folks.. Guanranteed none of the top 6 teams in the EPL would have a bar of him, great left foot when on song but when was the last time that was? 2004?? He's washed up..
- by Timo Nelson on May 11, 2008 at 02:47 PM
The Australian media is at it again. Look at me, look at me! The reality is Australia is a tiny blimp on a global scale that rarely registers. I hate saying that because I am an Australian, but I am an Australian who lives overseas and knows the reality. When I was in London in the late 90s, there is no doubt Harry Kewell was a superstar in the Premier League while at Leeds. I remember reading a major article trying to determine who was the best between him and Beckam. But that was a long time ago and as much we want him him to be a success, he was a disaster for Liverpool and hasn't lived up to those early years.
- by Andrew on May 11, 2008 at 03:12 PM
kopites are gobshites!
- by brendan on May 11, 2008 at 03:35 PM
The main thing that upset certain Liverpool fans at Harry Kewell's performance at the '05 Champion's League final wasn't that fact that HK limped off early in the game. Players get injured during matches all of the time - everyone underdstands that - but rather it was the over-the-top celebration that he engaged in after the game was won.
His injury put a huge amount of pressure on other players such as Carragher (who was running around in obvious pain from cramping) and you'd think that HK could have showed a bit more reserve in celebrating a win that he had essentially contributed very little too.
It also made people think that maybe he wasn't that badly injured but just lacked the ticker...
It was no surprise that HK was offered a heavily reduced wage offer. Tell me a club that would continue to play high wages to a player that was continously injured and unable to play.
Liverpool had to cut their losses sooner or later.
Fans of HK have to realise that most, if not all, Liverpool fans wanted to like HK but in the end they couldn't keep supporting him when he simply couldn't play.
And you could even go as far as to say that HK didn't show any loyalty to Leeds when they were relegated - and know Liverpool are no longer showing loyalty to him.
- by G-Man on May 11, 2008 at 03:41 PM
If only he had moved to Manchester United instead of Liverpool.Manchester United team would have made him immortal.
- by anand on May 11, 2008 at 03:43 PM
Here we go again, the apologists in the media and public are at it again with their "poor little Harry" routine. The reality is that harry is basically another Craig Johnston/Christian Vieri/Tony Dorigo. Expats are expats and if England had offered Kewell a spot in their team early enough he would be playing for them. Same goes for Scott McDonald in Scotland and Mark Viduka for Croatia. Soccer is paid entertainment, not some form of patriotism. Kewell doesn't pay tax in Australia, probably doesn't vote and hasn't lived here in ages. He had a couple of 6/10 matches in the recent WC but has basically underperformed for the rest of the time at an international level. Maybe we should offer him $300k a game and he might be more interested. Frankly, that is the direction that the game had headed anyway. Further Matt, i don't need to be a season ticket holder at Anfield to know what constitutes a good player or team. Talk about gross hypocrisy.
- by Michael on May 11, 2008 at 03:54 PM
Liverpool only won that CL final because Kewell went off injured.
- by Liam on May 11, 2008 at 04:10 PM
Umm, the dodgy Leeds exit, anyone?
Harry's all about the money - the facts speak for themselves.
And as for England not getting over the friendly loss to Australia - I suspect the Croatia result will be a little more to the front of their minds at the moment - talk about stuck in the past!
- by Michael on May 11, 2008 at 04:24 PM
Kewell was great in his youth, I can still remember when he was the next big thing, remember that goal for the olyroos as a junior.
Yes, he relit the trail blazed by johnstone back to the EPL, and he has never welshed on playing for Australia.
BUT after Leeds he had gotten comfortable, getting paid more per match than most people earn in a year, celebrity wife. Hey why not???, screw 'em all.
As you metioned the players are insured it didn't cost Liverpool anything except a little embarassment. Their football without him on the field has caused more.
But at the end of the day I think he's gone native and is a bit of a pommie bludger, bring him back to the A league so he can earn a normal wage and have to work for it.
- by JCD on May 11, 2008 at 04:43 PM
Harry Kewell is hated not because he gets injured, but because when he plays he is lazy and not committed. Fans who attend the games regularly complain that off the ball Kewell does very little work at all. He is a huge disappointment. Liverpool fans, and the club, expect nothing more than total commitment. I hate Gary Neville, but the United fans don't hate him because when he plays he is 100%. I've love to say the same about Kewell, but can't.
- by David on May 11, 2008 at 04:55 PM
Harry had a blinder when he came on against Uruguay in the decider to get us through to the World Cup and was the difference on the field against Croatia at the tournament. If we had him against Italy, where we didn't even look like scoring, he probably would have made the difference as well.
Even if he comes back at 75%, he will still be one of the best footballers in the Socceroos side.
I hope he does come back and play well, for all you tall-poppy knocking hackers who have obviously not had any setbacks in your life, so you can all eat your words.
- by ML on May 11, 2008 at 05:12 PM
Great to see all the racist comments, uncle Adolf must be having the time of his life or should I say death.
Harry has had a good career in the UK. If he had stayed in Australia he would be playing football still but he would probably be working as a builders labourer to pay the bills.
I think the message from all of this for us to wake up to the fact that football in England is a lot tougher than in Australia.
English kids spend just about all their waking hours kicking a ball around geting ready for the day when they are called. In Australia kids are lucky if they kick a ball around for a couple of hours a week including the game on the weekend.
The result is the Australians do not have the physical or mental preparation needed to launch into the rigours of the English league . Its a lot different to our A-League.
Many of our countrymen still think football is a namby pamby game, we have to wake up to the fact that what we have here is a sunday school league. Before we can send players to play in England season after season for a lifetime we need to change our approach and culture to produce the toughness required.
We can learn a lot from Harry who if he had been properly managed would have been another Stanley Mathews.
- by the fatherless chap from the bush on May 11, 2008 at 05:19 PM
Maybe the Kewell 'hate' is just a bit of a bit of tit for tat from the UK media....
After all there are one ro two senior football analysts in Australia one of which does a column for the Sun Herald that like to write in a negative way about english football so I guess they might have got wind of it over there and are looking foir an easy target wgich most certainly is!!!!
- by Joparo on May 11, 2008 at 05:34 PM
What went wrong is that the amount of pressure to perform and weight of expectations put on his shoulders pushed him to give 120% each time he stepped on the field.
He put his entire career at risk to give that 120% for liverpool and australia which led to the breakdown in the CL final and put him on crutches in the worldcup. Theres no denying his commitment.
All this criticism just reflects the amount of respect as player that everyone has for him.
- by Leo on May 11, 2008 at 05:35 PM
Matthew, you make some good points. Love the dig at the bitters across the park.
To be fair, most Liverpool supporters gave Kewell more than enough support over the years.
Eventually it comes to a stage where a player who has more time getting massaged on the training table than having a run out gets criticised.
It's just like the guy at the office who calls in sick far too often. You start to question whether the job is in is heart, or is Kewell satisfied with taking his pay slip and sitting at home with the kids.
It's also somewhat questionable when he's deemed fit for the national squad, but consistently returns injured. Where do your priorities lie? Should be with those paying your wage.
- by TW on May 11, 2008 at 06:57 PM
You comment that because Liverpools owners are billionaires it doesnt matter. Well can I ask how you think they became billionaires? they make good investments. Harry Kewell is not the problem here, neither are the new owners or liverpool. The decision to purchase kewell and play him despite the fact he has underlying injury problems. The physio/ medical staff who carried out his pre contract medical are to blame here. Harry needed a prolonged rest but instead felt he had to play to impress some of the most demanding staff and fans in the world.
Ryan, An englishman
- by Ryan on May 11, 2008 at 07:07 PM
it's a ball game, fecth the ball. Ice burgs are melting, people are starving, get a grip get a life saddo scousers.
- by scouse down under on May 11, 2008 at 07:13 PM
A few chips showing here: Al, Jay and some others. Who gives a toss? Harry has done well out his career. In terms of return, if you (Al, Jay and I) paid his wages, we would be disappointed. When Harry last played for the Socceroos he spent time looking to dive over someone's leg. It all when bellly up when he got a funny haircut, for me. How do you motivate a bloke on that sort of money?
- by Philip on May 11, 2008 at 08:27 PM
Yep - Harry's complete crap. So Sydney FC - sign him up --- PLEASE!!!!!
- by kywong73 on May 11, 2008 at 08:53 PM
What an ill informed blog ... the facts are, at best, Kewell is a mediocre star, hyped up by his nation's press ... it's only natural that the backlash restores the balance.
- by Lee on May 11, 2008 at 08:58 PM
where the hell is my post????
- by cg on May 11, 2008 at 09:39 PM
Ah the scousers are probably jealous because they know that when he finishes his career, he'll be able to return to the wonderful land of Oz, whilst they remain in the dungheap called Liverpool. Suffer in your jocks Poms!
- by Toffee on May 11, 2008 at 09:56 PM
This is a unfortunate situation for a player with immense talent and supreme physical fitness. I think we can all be sure that his time will come when a good stretch of injury free play will enable the K-Jewell to shine and put himself back where he belongs- in top flight soccer
- by Paul Clarke on May 11, 2008 at 10:12 PM
This is a unfortunate situation for a player with immense talent and supreme physical fitness. I think we can all be sure that his time will come when a good stretch of injury free play will enable the K-Jewell to shine and put himself back where he belongs- in top flight soccer
- by Paul Clarke on May 11, 2008 at 10:13 PM
Was a waste of money. Played much better for Australia than he ever did for Liverpool. Glad to see him go.
- by Colin Hanley on May 11, 2008 at 11:00 PM
I have always been a massive fan of Kewell and still will be despite him leaving my favourite team the reds.
Its a ashame that such a talent never got the opportunity to blossom at a world class club like liverpool. Hopefully he gets a move to a top serie a or spanish club where his technical ability will come to the fore and his drop of physical capability wont be as highlighted.
At his peak he was the best winger in england bar non and i include giggs and beckham at their peak.
- by tawfiq on May 12, 2008 at 12:02 AM
Another manifestation of the Tall Poppy syndrome. The Poms will eventually tear down Beckham too. Kewell is a brilliant player, and has been a match winner for Liverpool in the past. So he has had some serious injuries, is that his fault? He is still streets ahead of most of the Ockeroos playing for Oz at present. Anyway,does it matter, it's only soccer, that's not even an Aussie game is it ?
- by Gary Sinden on May 12, 2008 at 12:45 AM
MH - time to move on from Harry and his also 'washed up' ex-soapie wife. We should be focusing on Tim Cahill, Jason Culina and Scott McDonald. All are Aussies and are at the top of their game in the European leagues.
Dukes is also past it. He's too old, injury prone, over-paid and has been a flop at the Toon.
Next generation please...
See last week's Sun Herald where you will find a story suggesting exactly this. MH
- by RedFelsy on May 12, 2008 at 06:55 AM
Some comments are way wide of the mark here. Craig Foster might have a microphone taped between his buttocks just in case he says anything about EPL, but that doesn't mean there's an anti-Australian backlash in the UK. Nobody - even in the British media - has even heard of Foster.
The real backlash in the UK has been against footballer salaries, particularly when players are perceived not to be doing anything to merit them. This is quite recent and so players who copped a lot of stick from the media in the past eg. Darren "sicknote" Anderton (and he was even English) for being permanently injured got off pretty lightly compared to those who have the same sort of injury rates in today's more hostile atmosphere.
The article mentions Ronaldo and others but it's hard to think of a player who's been out of action for as long as Kewell. If Shevchenko spends another couple of years at Chelsea and plays only a handful of games, he'll cop it in spades too.
It's hard luck for Harry and undoubtedly unfair but it's my belief that a much wider issue is behind all the opprobrium.
- by Itsfootballnotsoccer on May 12, 2008 at 07:41 AM
...don't mean to be picky, but...recent Champions League campaigns to (or in) which a certain H. Kewell directly contributed.
- by Andrew Lubbock on May 12, 2008 at 08:06 AM
Kewell as a Liverpool player has been a flop, and receiving over $300k for bench warming highlights the obscenity that football salaries have become.
That's not having a go at a talented bloke who's suffered more than his fair share of injury, but, it's an indesputable fact.
I hope he can overcome his injury woes and get a start with another club, but I seriously doubt one of the major European outfits will risk him.
- by CeeJay on May 12, 2008 at 08:19 AM
Oh get over him and yourselves. Stop whinging. He's too old and had his day.
- by rog on May 12, 2008 at 09:27 AM
Jez there is a lot of Poms living in this country. Unless all these anti Kewell comments are from poms going out of their way to search Australian sites to vent their spleen at us and Kewell.
- by Rellum on May 12, 2008 at 09:36 AM
I must say I don't hate Kewell at all. I think he's great for Liverpool.
Yours Truly
An Arsenal Supporter.
- by Ben on May 12, 2008 at 10:09 AM
To all those suggestion Kewell is not good - the guy won PFA young player of the year when at Leeds - this isn't like winning best and fairest at the local comp - it means he is SERIOUSLY good and it was a huge coup when Liverpool signed he - especially at the bargain price due to Leeds financial disaster. I just hope his run on injuries doesn't rob him of his pace as well as the five years of development he's missed out on. He's still the only player in Aust that quality opposition fear - why else would Brazil double team him in the World Cup.
- by Peter C on May 12, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Harry Kewell is a dead-set Champion, and its only low life losers who knock a champion when he is down. I hope this isnt the end of Kewell.
Also, you may recall me posting here about two months ago regarding Chelsea striker Didier Drogba joining Milan after he bought an apartment there.. well since i made that post i have read reports that he is set to join Real Madrid and only last week i read he now may stay at Chelsea. Well boys, As i told you before my uncle works in the real estate/property business in Italy and dont listen to those reports in the media.. Drogba will be at Milan next season and will move there in June. The Champions League final will be his Chelsea swangsong !!!