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LIVERPOOL FC: HARRY HAPPY TO BE BACK

Harry Kewell last night admitted he owes manager Rafael Benitez for sticking by him through the worst year of his footballing life.

/noticias.info/ Kewell limped out of the Champions League final in May with a groin injury and has only recently returned to competitive action.

He admits the last twelve months represent a period in his life he'd now rather forget as he concentrates on forcing his way into the manager's plans on a regular basis for the rest of the season - starting tomorrow in the World Club Championships final.

"It always goes through your mind when you have an injury that prolongs itself for over a year-and-a-half whether you are ever going to get back to your best," said Kewell. "I had people behind me who gave me good advice and my family was very supportive as well. That helped keep my confidence up, but it's such a massive relief to be back playing again without any real pain. Sure, there's still a bit there, but we are working hard and it's steadily going away. It is like three or four stone off my shoulders.

"I try not to dwell too much on the past because it was such a bad time, and I'd rather look to the future. But the fans knew throughout the whole of last season what I was going through. They knew at any time that the injury could have gone again and I'd have been set back. There were things I simply couldn't do because of the injuries. I knew it, the manager knew it, but sometimes you have to sacrifice yourself for the team.

"The manager wanted me to perform a role, and that's what I tried to do. I was picked in both the finals we played last season and that shows Benítez has a lot of confidence in me for which I am very grateful. He has given me the opportunities. Now it is time for me to repay him."

He added: "There is a great goal at the end of the season now for me, with Australia drawing Brazil in the group, but before that we have a challenge awaiting us in the Premiership, to get as close to Chelsea and succeed them. There is a great competition to try and win here first. Those are the aims but, for me, it's just good to be back." notas_de_prensa_archivo