£160,000 a game... that's what Harry Kewell cost Liverpool

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Harry Kewell is leaving Liverpool as an expensive flop, having cost almost £160,000 a game over five years since joining them from Leeds.

He made 138 appearances and scored just 16 goals after being signed by Gerard Houllier from Leeds for £5million in 2003 on a contract worth £60,000 a week.



The Australia winger appeared destined for success when he signed, but a series of fitness problems restricted him and he has had an unhappy time, even being booed by his own fans when he went off injured early during the Champions League Final against AC Milan three years ago.

Rafa Benitez showed faith in him after succeeding Houllier, but the manager upset many supporters by giving Kewell a starting place for the 2006 FA Cup Final against West Ham.

He was substituted early in the second half.

At 29, Kewell's time at Anfield is up. He has played just 18 games for Liverpool in the last two seasons, and it became clear that his appearance as a second-half substitute in the shock FA Cup defeat by Barnsley in February would be his last.

Fulham, who attempted to sign him during the January transfer window, are almost certain to move for him again.

But Kewell will not accept an offer from Craven Cottage if they are relegated and is certain to attract a number of other clubs.

Liverpool have been given the go-ahead for a new 60,000-seater stadium at Stanley Park.

But with no sign of a break in the stand-off between American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, and DIC still hoping to take over the club, the precise date for a start on building remains uncertain.

The city council's planning committee approved a modified scheme drawn up by Dallas architects HKS earlier in the year. The stadium is due to open in time for the 2011-2012 Season.

Source: The Daily Mail

[NJ10]

He didnt work out, and he wont be a great loss if he goes

But this £160k a game bollocks doesnt wash with me. Everything always comes back to money in football.....therefore Kewell earnt the club a few quid last season by scoring the goal which meant we finished 3rd not 4th.

I think the "expensive flop" tag is a bit over the top, after all he has not been far from the first team when fit- and players like Jonathan Woodgate & Ledley King get a hell of a lot more sympathy for their injuries. He only cost £5m (ish.....Bernie Mandic will tell you the full story one day I'm sure), he should theoretically have cost a lot more except that Leeds had allowed his contract to run dangerously close to expiry, and then saw the arse fall out of the club. He wasnt complete shite for all of his Liverpool career- first six months at the club he was good, very good at times. Played some great games for us, scored some great goals- in big games as well (Arsenal, Everton, United, Leeds).

And most fans were not upset when Kewell was given his start in the FA Cup final 06 at all, he had a decent second half to the season and was very good in the semi final against Chelsea, it was a shame he had to go off early (again) against West Ham.

[The Rule]

He was a part of a team that won the Champions League. That earned us about 15million. So he covered what we spent on him. A wonderful talent, cursed by injuries. I'm not sad he's leaving but as a football fan in general i'm sad he'll never fulfill his ability. Harry Kewell is ten times the player David Beckham is and marketed right could have had the same global impact. Everything Beckham is good at, Kewell was better at. Crossing, freekicks, passing. Plus he was a better dribbler and a better goalscorer.

One of the true unrealised talents, and unlike a fool like Collymore, it was through no fault of his own.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Rafa did offer Kewell a new contract but with lower wage. Kewell turn it down and who could like him? He have done nothing for the club. Liverpool have paid a lot of money during when he was injured. He had a contract which paid him more than he deserves when you think about his skills. He was over-paid. Kewell have no feelings for Liverpool and you can see it on his attitude on the pitch. He have high thought about himself and it's clearly he play football for money.

He ain't good enough too play for Liverpool anyway. Won't miss him.

[Buddha14]

What started this injury ravaged career was El Tel at Leeds. Harry was injured but Venables kept playing him. Who knows what might have been? He still is a great player as The Rule said he is a lot better than Beckham at everything Football wise in terms of skill. He is Still Australia's Beckham