Kewell Shows Signs of Wanting to Stay

Is time running out?

With a number of players coming and going at LFC, Harry Kewell has been an interesting one. He being allowed to stay on in his final year, there is no desire to sell and there is no contract extension being discussed. At 28 he's should be at about the peak of his game. A series of long-term injuries, however, have make it difficult to assess if this is in fact true as regards the Aussie.

An encouraging development from an LFC point of view is that this year , the left winger has decided to for go a family holiday/vacation to join up with his LFC teammates as they continue to tour the Far East. Admittedly he's pretty much just around the corner, having just competed in the Asian Cup with Australia.

He's claimed that because of all of the extra competition for places on the starting 11, he wants to get in there and show he can be part of Rafa's plans, but I've got to wonder if he's hoping that he can convince the Benitez to extend his deal. I get the impression that LFC want to see him do the same and see if he can stay injury free. If he can show that he's still the same player that impressed at Leeds, it can only help LFC's push for the Premiership this year.

Here's hoping that if he stay fit and that LFC see something of what we expect someone who wears the #7 shirt to produce.

More here.

Blessing in disguise?

I'm not sure how I feel about the news that Zenden is injured and may not make the final in Athens next week.

Part of wonders if he is the right choice to begin with. Yes he has a lot of experience, but I've never been that sure of our left side, ever since Aurelio got injured and Riise was pushed back to left-back.

Gonzalez, I think, doesn't have the experience to play in such an important game (although he could be useful as a late sub). I'm also not that keen on having Arbeloa at left back with Riise moving up, once again (although he's done well) it's Arbeloa inexperience for this kind of game that concerns me.

That really only leaves Kewell, who I think was in the running all along as far a Rafa was concerned. But with Kewell just coming back from injury, there's always the concern that he might not be 100% and match fitness will be an issue. I still remember how poorly he played in Instanpool at the same final as this, although he's subbing did lead to Smicer coming on, who then went on to score those all important goals.

If Kewell is at his best, and plays , it could be really useful. He does typically play well in the big games, and I 'm sure Milan won't have as much info on him and may find him hard to control.

Personally I think Rafa's slightly happy at the prospect as I feel he always wanted to pick Kewell, however, I think he'll be a little nervous at having slimmer back-up.