Rafa expectes Kewell to deliver

13 April 2012

Rafael Benitez drew plenty of positives from Liverpool's Barclays Asia Trophy performances, not least the return to fitness of Harry Kewell.

The winger has seen the last two seasons on Merseyside ravaged by injury, a torn abductor muscle forcing the Australian into an early exit from the Reds' Champions League triumph in 2005 before a groin tear in the 2006 FA Cup final was subsequently compounded by a foot problem.

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Big things expected: Harry Kewell

As a result, the 28-year-old was sidelined for almost a year and only made his comeback at the start of May with two substitute appearances at the back end of Liverpool's Premier League campaign.

However, Kewell played a full part in Australia's exploits in Thailand and Vietnam during the Asian Cup over the summer and immediately linked up with the rest of his team-mates in Hong Kong after the Socceroos were knocked out in the last eight on penalties by Japan.

He also started both games against South China on Tuesday and Portsmouth last night - producing lively displays - and has now spent the best part of a month playing in high temperatures and humidity in preparing for the new season.

Having shown the form that persuaded Liverpool to pay £5million for his services in between his spells on the treatment table, Kewell has remained firmly part of Benitez's plans at Anfield.

The coming campaign is a crucial one for the winger as he is entering the final year of his contract and will therefore hope all injury woes are behind him.

And if indeed they are, Benitez believes Kewell will have a crucial role to play this term. "I think he will be an important player," he said.

"It's like we are signing a new player. Harry has had problems for the last two seasons but you know that he has the ability and the quality that we need.

"To play two games in a row was difficult and I was really pleased with him."

Liverpool finished runners-up in the Asia Trophy after losing out to Premier League rivals Portsmouth on penalties.

And Benitez felt the tournament has proved to be extremely beneficial as it allowed the Spaniard to get a better measure of his raft of summer signings.

"I think it has been useful," he added.

"During this tournament I could see the level of the players and also I like to see if they can be competitive in each position.

"The games and the training sessions and the relationships between the players always can give you a better idea about the players."

Benitez also insisted he expects big-money signing Fernando Torres to hit the ground running when the Reds kick-off their Premier League campaign at Aston Villa on August 11.

The Spaniard wasted a good chance to break the deadlock midway through the second half against Pompey before missing his spot kick in the shoot-out.

But Benitez still believes there is plenty of time to iron out any kinks in his striker's game. "I think Torres can improve," Benitez said.

"We have two more weeks and also his understanding with his team-mates will get better so I'm sure he will improve."

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