[Mighty T.A.L.]

Liverpool manager gives Kewell hope of earning ticket to Athens

Harry Kewell may not have played for Liverpool since the FA Cup Final last May, but Rafael BenÍtez hinted after the Australia midfield player’s return against Fulham on Saturday that he may be part of his plans for the Champions League final.

Yes, the same Kewell whose deployment in the Champions League final two years ago was considered a mistake. Yes, the Kewell who was roundly condemned by the fans in Istanbul for wanting to leave the pitch when he contracted abdominal pains.

“If Harry plays well, we will see what happens,” the Liverpool manager said. “We will have time for testing him. We need to test him because right now you could say physically that he is fit but you need to play, you need to tackle and to sprint, and to come back.”

While Kewell may feel the need to prove that he can sprint and tackle, most of BenÍtez’s players do not. Although the manager made nine changes to the team who beat Chelsea in the Champions League semi-finals last week, it was a lineup that could have beaten Fulham. The home team won because they were prepared to give their all, while Liverpool boasted enough players hopeful or certain of playing in Athens who were distracted.

Source: The Times