Bayer Leverkusen v Liverpool: Harry Kewell's Liverpool career appears to be drawing to a suitably ignominious close after he ruled himself out of this evening's second-leg tie at Bayer Leverkusen because of injury, despite pleas from his manager Rafael Benitez for him to play.
Benitez had planned his defence of a 3-1 lead against the Germans on the basis that Kewell would feature in the Ruhr Valley, only for the Australian's late withdrawal to throw Liverpool's preparations for a potentially awkward match into disarray.
The manager was forced to reinforce his squad yesterday with young players - one of whom, John Welsh, forgot his passport and will arrive only today - though his exasperation was reserved for Kewell.
"I think he's injured," said the Spaniard of the attacker, who was signed from Leeds for £5 million at the start of last season but has shown only fleeting form since swapping Elland Road for Anfield.
"We thought three days ago that he would be fit but he says he feels something so he cannot play. We are talking with the doctor to find a solution, but each week the problem changes with him. It's either with the ankle or the groin, but one day he's fine, the next he's not.
"I don't know, but maybe he needs to have more confidence in himself. I said to him that if he gives us 80 per cent (against Leverkusen) it would be so very important because we don't have another striker for the Champions League, but he says he's not fit, he feels something and he's got a problem. We'll have to look for another solution."
Kewell (26) has been troubled by ankle and groin complaints since the tail-end of last season, though the suspicion abounds on Merseyside that the trouble is as much psychological as it is physical.
After eight goals in his first 19 appearances for his new club early last season, the Australian has mustered only one in 25 games this term. That has frustrated Benitez, with the player's reluctance to play through the pain barrier tonight - Liverpool are already without the injured Djibril Cisse, Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Neil Mellor, with Fernando Morientes cup-tied - further damaging their relationship.
"I have been talking very highly of Harry all season, saying how important he is for us and that he's a fantastic player, but if he's never fit or we are always waiting to see him at his best level, maybe we need to look for a solution," he said.
"I would have liked him to play in this game because we don't have a lot of forwards available for the Champions League. We can't keep waiting and changing our ideas about the team and the tactics because of him. It's disruptive to preparations."
Benitez will at least have Steven Gerrard available again for the match in the BayArena after his one-match ban in the first leg.
"Steven has the maturity, the quality, the power we need for these kind of games," said the Spaniard.
"I think he will score a goal in this game. I have looked into a crystal ball."
Bayer Leverkusen coach Klaus Augenthaler insists his players firmly believe they can overcome a 3-1 first-leg deficit and advance to the last eight.
Leverkusen trailed 3-0 at Anfield two weeks ago but Franca's last-gasp goal, courtesy of a blunder from goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek, has given Leverkusen a glimmer of hope.
And Augenthaler, who yesterday signed a 12-month extension to his contract, is adamant his squad possesses enough quality to surprise Benitez's men.
He told the club's official website, www.bayer04.de: "Two-nil? It is not impossible.
"Certainly, Liverpool are favourites and my squad must perform to the best of their ability to create a minor miracle. But they believe it can be done. He added: "We must give nothing away in defence. If we are leading 1-0 with 12 or 14 minutes to play we must not panic. We have to take controlled risks."
With Robson Ponte suspended, American international Landon Donovan will get the chance to impress. Paul Freier is also suspended, meaning Augenthaler is set to start with Daniel Bierofka. Leverkusen are missing defenders Jens Nowotny, Roque Junior and Juan through injury while Croatian midfielder Marko Babic will face a late fitness test on an ankle problem.
BAYER LEVERKUSEN (3-5-2; probable): Butt; Callsen-Bracker, Ramelow, Placente; Bierofka, Schneider, Castro, Donovan, Krzynowek; Berbatov, Voronin.
LIVERPOOL (4-4-1-1; probable): Dudek; Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise; Warnock, Biscan, Hamann, Luis Garcia; Gerrard; Baros.
Referee: A Sars (France).
