Rafael Benitez concedes that out-of-favour winger Harry Kewell
could struggle to win a new contract at the club after giving his
blessing for the player to join-up with Australia next week.
Kewell, whose current deal runs out in the summer, has been out
of favour since the FA Cup defeat by Barnsley and was not even in
the squad that travelled to Italy this week for the Champions
League victory over Inter Milan.
And now Kewell has asked for, and been given permission by
Benitez, to link up with Australia for their two forthcoming
matches in the international break.
Benitez says: 'They play two games and he is not playing here,
so it is good that he goes with them and plays to get fit. '
I have given him permission because he was not playing for us at
the moment. So it is positive for him and his national team that he
plays for them.
'The contract will be more difficult for him, if he plays well
for Australia and comes back fit he could have a part to play at
the end of the season.
'But his situation could become more difficult. I will make a
decision at the end of the season.
' Kewell will be missing again tomorrow when Liverpool face
Reading tomorrow, a team that Benitez does not believe will be
relegated from the top flight.
Benitez said: 'Reading have a very good team spirit, they work
hard and they have beaten us in the league. That was our first
defeat of the season and a very disappointing day for us.
'We know we must keep winning and scoring goals. But Reading are
a good side with a good manager and spirit, it is difficult to play
against a side who work as hard as they do.
'It is a surprise that they have struggled because last season
they did really well. But they have now won two games in a row and
shown they have character.
'If they keep working this hard they will soon be safe. They are
doing a good job and they have the right mentality to stay in the
division.'
