Liverpool 1 Tottenham 0: Harry Kewell enjoyed a cathartic moment on Saturday. It came just before the hour when he swung his left boot purposefully at a right-wing cross from Steve Finnan, connecting majestically to rip a blistering volley through Paul Robinson at his near post.
Yet, if this match turned on the Australian's glorious intervention, confirmation that Kewell's Liverpool career has revived was delivered only once the match winner had departed the arena.
An hour after the final whistle, with Kewell en route home to Cheshire, Jamie Carragher strode down the touchline and reflected on his team-mate's impact.
"I know just how dangerous he can be, because I remember playing against him when he was at Leeds," said the centre-half. "He was one of the best around, a nightmare to mark. The way he's playing at the moment, it's like having a new signing."
Kewell had enjoyed shows of support from those at Anfield during what has been a troubled time on Merseyside, with his impact wrecked by injury to fuel the cynics, but to gain acknowledgement from Carragher was timely. The defender takes some convincing.
It had been 13 months and 30 matches since Kewell last scored. His recent form had been resurgent, the zip restored to his charges down the left with his groin and Achilles injuries healed.
Yet Liverpool were starting to grow frustrated, their approach smothered by Tottenham's energy in midfield, when Finnan hit a superb cross from near the touchline and Kewell pummelled his jaw-dropping attempt past Robinson. While Spurs cursed, Liverpool ended within a point of second place.
"Harry really turned it on, but it's not just this game where we've seen that," said Carragher. "He's been our best player over the past six weeks. He just needed a goal, the only thing he's been missing, because he's been creating so much for the strikers. He has been coming in for so much stick, a lot of it undeserved. He certainly shouldn't have been criticised for what happened in Istanbul. No player comes off in a Champions League final unless he really has to, and it wasn't his fault that he snapped a groin."
That curtailed 20-minute cameo at the Ataturk stadium will always haunt Kewell, although, if his form continues to prove this perky, redemption beckons.
Manager Rafael Benitez noted it was poignant this reward was gleaned "in front of the Kop", the supporters who doubted the 27-year-old starting to recognise the tearaway who terrorised opponents with Leeds.
"Our fans rarely criticise their own and it's clear he's getting them all back on his side," added Carragher. "The day will arrive when we win the title and there's no doubt Harry can play a part in that. We will have one of the best left-sided midfielders in Europe. I know what Luis (Garcia) says about me giving him a rollicking if he tries one of his tricks at the wrong time, but I appreciate what he and Harry bring to the team. I understand what flair players are about, and we needed something different today."
Tottenham offered the most coherent challenge a side has mustered at Anfield since Chelsea won here in October. Michael Dawson was superb, smartly snuffing out Fernando Morientes and competing ruggedly with Peter Crouch in the air, and Robinson excelled at his back.
All Spurs lacked was composure in the finish. Robbie Keane's glaring miss 30 seconds into the second period was critical, the Dubliner slapping his shot wide after Jermaine Jenas' cross had scuttled beyond Jose Reina. "Unbelievable," offered Martin Jol. "An open goal."
Reina preserved his eighth consecutive league clean sheet at Anfield by pawing away Mido's volley in the immediate aftermath of Kewell's goal. The late dismissal of Paul Stalteri for a professional foul on Kewell, threatening to tear alone into the visitors' half, was a cruel sting in the tail for Tottenham to endure.
Jol will still have departed impressed by his side's refusal to subside. "We all agreed Tottenham are one of the best teams we have faced here all season, and that includes in Europe," added Carragher.
Guardian Service
