10 Players Who Probably Regret Joining Liverpool
5. Harry Kewell
Harry Kewell was probably the first A-lister from the A-league to strut his talents in the Premier League. Australias very own answer to David Beckham, blessed with skill, talent and brazen good looks, the flashy Aussie winger had it all. For eight years he illuminated Elland Road with his magic wand of a left wing, flummoxing red-faced defenders and announcing himself as one of Europes most highly-rated talents.
It may seem a long time ago now, but 13 years ago Leeds United were swapping Wednesday night visits to Rotherham United and Blackpool for Champions League semi-finals. Kewell had scooped the PFA Young Player of the Year award, and Inter Milan had seen a hefty £25 million offer turned down for the diminutive forward. Within a year, however, it all began to turn sour.
With a financial irregularities hanging over their heads, a fire-sale was commissioned, in which their best players were quickly issued towards the door. Kewells 45 goals in 180 appearances for the Elland Road side hadnt gone unnoticed, with English giants Liverpool and Manchester United among the elite sides credited with an interest.
''Harry wanted to go to a club he felt were on the up. United have had a huge amount of success, but if you look at cycles, they are destined to go into a downturn, whether this year, next year or whenever. Being in the first team at United was not an issue. When you consider the money being offered, Harry would have been guaranteed a first-team place. Bernie Mandic, Kewells agent, July 2003.
Following Kewells subsequent refusal to be swayed by the financial clout of Old Trafford, he put pen to paper on a long-term contract at Anfield, and was determined to bring the success that he felt would elude Sir Alex Fergusons troops. As it happens, Kewells stint was marred by injuries and a loss of form, which saw him lose his place in the team at least three years before his exit in the summer of 2008. Registering just 12 league goals for the club, the Australian was an absolute disaster, as Manchester United added five trophies to their cabinet during his spell on Merseyside.