No new contract for Kewell

[paulrobbo]

Wasn't sure if this should have gone in the summer transfer board or in the Kewell out of contract post. Settled on it being in here. MODs feel free to move it if it's in the wrong place.

This pretty much confirms it.

No new deal for Harry Kewell at Liverpool FC

May 7th 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post



RAFAEL BENITEZ has called time on Harry Kewell’s disappointing Liverpool career.

The Australian will not be offered a new deal at Anfield when his current contract expires at the end of the season.

Such an outcome has been inevitable with Kewell having not figured for Liverpool since the FA Cup defeat to Barnsley in February.

The 29-year-old was signed in a blaze of publicity by then Anfield manager Gerard Houllier for £5million from Leeds United in July 2003.

Kewell scored 11 goals in his first season but, since Benitez assumed charge in 2004, has been dogged by a catalogue of series injuries ranging from serious groin, knee, thigh and ankle problems to septic arthritis in his foot.

Nevertheless, Benitez has been a consistent admirer of the Australian and turned to Kewell for all four of the major finals of his tenure.

Typically, though, Kewell limped off injured in the Carling Cup final in 2005, the Champions League final later that season and the FA Cup final the following year before emerging from the bench in the 2007 Champions League final despite having previously played only 46 minutes that season.

The Australian, who is unlikely to be given the chance of a swansong at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, has made 138 appearances and scored 16 goals in his five years at Anfield.

And when wages and his transfer fee are taken into consideration, Kewell has cost Liverpool an estimated £157,000 per game.

Kewell has been determined to stay at Anfield but is thought to have already lined up a possible move elsewhere, with Juventus among a clutch of potential suitors.

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Good luck to you Harry.

[mrtommo]

Probably one of the wierdest careers a player has ever had at Liverpool.

When he signed, I think everyone thought he was going to be the missing part of our title challenge jigsaw.
But, he has been plauged with so many injuries and bad luck.

I have nothing against the bloke, but even he must feel embarrassed to of played a part in each of the 4 above named finals.
He has been paid a huge salary whilst at the club, so that now can be invested into another players career,( one who will stay injury free )

As I've said, I have nothing against him, but I'm relieved he is going.
I wish him all the best in his future, whoever that may be with, and I thank him for the few minutes he played for us.
Good Luck Harry, and goodbye.

[Venison 86]

I echo your sentiments Tommo, I was made up when we signed him, who knows what could of been if he had stayed fit

Good Luck Harry

[Darth Joe]

The pony tailed Harry always reminded me of a Jedi.

May the force be with you then, Jedi!

[kelv78]

Best news ive heard in ages.

[Magillionare]

Megh, every time he played he played well fact is he didnt play enough so good luck but I cant say were going to miss you

[king kenny]

I'm relieved that he is going it has been one big nightmare for us fans and him alike.  Not his fault good luck for the future Harry!

[LFC9]

Good luck to him in the future .But please dont make murphys mistake and sign for Fulham even if they do stay up .
Good luck matey always a Red.......

[donrafael]

Good luck Harry... if you ever need a hand with your Missus give us a buzz.

YNWA

[7-King Kenny-7]

realistically he left a while ago because we are so used to playing without him it wont make any differeance on the team. However before he suddenly became so plagued by injuries he was an important player and was a very good player.

Hope he gets a new club with ease and finishes his career well and without anymore injuries. Good luck to him

[Liverbird]

Good Luck to you Harry, scored some great goals for us (Everton, Spurs) Gave his all when he played but was always to injury prone, hopefully can finish his career off at a decent club and not have to many more injuries.

[pragmatic]

Good luck Harry... if you ever need a hand with your Missus give us a buzz.

YNWA

Not if im in the queue first son...

Have to say good riddence as you were becoming a bind to be honest, sorry "H" but thats a fact , I really thing you ought to consider some other way of making your living out of football m8 because I think you have had your time now fella. When looking at those stats 16 goals from a talent like you had dunno bout anyone else but I feel a bit ripped off... Good luck though "H" whereever the wind may take you.

[lfcreds27]

Kewell was a class player but too injury-prone, it was typical that he would find some form and then injury himself somehow.

5 million was a decent price at the time but it definately hasn't been worth it.

Most memorable moment was his screamer against Levski Sofia, I was at that game or on his leeds return scoring a superb curling shot

[LFC9]

Good times thanks Harry......

[donrafael]

Kewell played his best football at Leeds that will be the sad fact about Harry's career.

[Bpatel]

I think we were all expecting that, Rafa was never going to offer him a new contract.

But he was very unlucky with all the injuries that he had. He would have turned out to be a decent player I think.

Anyway, I wish him luck wherever he goes and whatever he ends up doing.

[crouchinho]

What I was so chuffed about was he was a world class winger then and only for 6 million!

Here's a fact that over rules the tranfer fee, Harry would have cost LFC 155,000 pounds per game with all his medical bills.

Here's to the worst career you can possibly imagine. Serves the pr**k right for playing the superstar back here in Aus rather than get fully fit and heal the groin. Feel sorry for the missus too, he wouldnt be able to perform 100% for her with the constant groin problems. There ya go don and prag, a good line to help your chances with his bird.

[pragmatic]

What I was so chuffed about was he was a world class winger then and only for 6 million!

Here's a fact that over rules the tranfer fee, Harry would have cost LFC 155,000 pounds per game with all his medical bills.

Here's to the worst career you can possibly imagine. Serves the pr**k right for playing the superstar back here in Aus rather than get fully fit and heal the groin. Feel sorry for the missus too, he wouldnt be able to perform 100% for her with the constant groin problems. There ya go don and prag, a good line to help your chances with his bird.

Thanks dude she has my phone number already, thing is she wont leave me alone now sheesh whats a guy to do honestly!!!!!

[Billy1]

I do not think it is a surprise that Harry will be released,it will be a shock to Harry when he sees the wages he will be offered by his next club. Without a doubt  he has been a big disappointment at Liverpool  and we never got value for money.As with most Liverpool players we wish him well when he leaves the club.

[neilh2105]

Harry, best of luck in the rest of your career,
I'll wager that which ever club you end up at they want be as tolerant as LFC has been with you over your persistant lack of fitness!
Nevertheless, no sour grapes.
C YAH!!

[crouchinho]

No sour grapes? No one in England gets payed 155,000 pounds a week! The tosser wasted our money on one fkn groin. Good ridduns!

Your one top bloke neil, being as forgiving as you are, im bitter with the tit.

[EddieC]

No sour grapes? No one in England gets payed 155,000 pounds a week! The tosser wasted our money on one fkn groin. Good ridduns!

Your one top bloke neil, being as forgiving as you are, im bitter with the tit.

I'm not bitter either, yes it was frustrating as hell seeing him permanently injured, but surely no-one can honestly believe he got injured on purpose? The only thing that annoys me a little is that I don't believe someone can have this amount of injuries & that there was no advance warning that his body was on the verge of total breakdown. We must have had some cracking medical staff under Houllier.

[crouchinho]

I'm not bitter either, yes it was frustrating as hell seeing him permanently injured, but surely no-one can honestly believe he got injured on purpose? The only thing that annoys me a little is that I don't believe someone can have this amount of injuries & that there was no advance warning that his body was on the verge of total breakdown. We must have had some cracking medical staff under Houllier.

He made himself available for any international match, whether it be friendly or not. He tries to play superstar. The dickhead lives off our club and then goes to play for the national side before getting 100% fit again.

[DOBBS83]

Good Luck mate where ever you go and I hope you have no more injuries, too sad it didnt work out but this club needs to move on if we want to win the title.

I heard he's headin back home to oz, its on the cover of fourfourtwo. A less physical game will definately help out his body that just cant cope any more.

[Court LFC]

Well Harry not much to say but you mostly got paid just to get fit & play a couple of games a season.  I did think you were coming back in to the real Harry Kewell back in the 2005/06 season and that gave me faith in you.

Unfortunately you have suffered two more injury hit seasons.  Which has ultimately ended your slim chance of even gaining a new contract.  Where ever you go, good luck.

One of my most favourite moments of you in a Red shirt was scoring Kop end against Everton in the 2005/06 season in the second half.  What a goal.

It's such a shame that you didn't get to your full potential.  But enough's enough.  You can't be blamed for getting injured as I know how frustrating a long term injury can be.

YNWA Harry Kewell

[mrtommo]

So with Harry leaving, that'll mean the famous number 7 shirt will be up for grabs !!

Will any of our players step up into wearing the shirt ?, or will it be a big name signing that takes it ?

The only one I can think off, who has the capability of doing it justice, would be Ryan Babel.

[crouchinho]

So with Harry leaving, that'll mean the famous number 7 shirt will be up for grabs !!

Will any of our players step up into wearing the shirt ?, or will it be a big name signing that takes it ?

The only one I can think off, who has the capability of doing it justice, would be Ryan Babel.

My thoughts exactly. Babel deserves it.

[EddieC]

So with Harry leaving, that'll mean the famous number 7 shirt will be up for grabs !!

Will any of our players step up into wearing the shirt ?, or will it be a big name signing that takes it ?

The only one I can think off, who has the capability of doing it justice, would be Ryan Babel.

Maybe we should start a thread on it?

[DOBBS83]

Maybe we should start a thread on it?

I thought there was one Eddie

[Dadorious]

Bye Kewell you have cost us an arm and a leg and never really justified your money. Which I think drove the passion out of you  to ever return to your peak fitness.

Anyways all the best mate!