When the young Australian moved from Leeds he was meant to be the missing piece in the jigsaw that would bring the league title to Anfield. For a number of reasons it hasn't worked out that way . . .
'It wasn't the player's fault that he picked up an injury in Istanbul, or again during the FA Cup Final in 2006'
It all started off so well, and there was only one club Harry Kewell wanted to join when it became clear that his future would not be at Elland Road. Other clubs offered more money and higher wages but he was determined to sign for his boyhood team and in the summer of 2003 the dream became reality.
An unbelievable succession of injuries has meant he has never been able to fulfill his potential for the club, and has resulted in him receiving a good deal of criticism from some sections of the media and even some supporters. This is rather unfair, and I'm sure that if he'd suffered one serious injury that kept reoccurring attitudes would have been much more sympathetic.
Ironically, it is the faith that Rafa Benitez has shown in his undoubted ability that led to some of the worst criticisms of him. There is no doubting that a fully fit Harry Kewell would have been vital to the Liverpool team had he been available, so it is no surprise that Rafa has been tempted to involve him in a series of finals where he could have made the difference between winning and losing.
It wasn't the player's fault that he picked up an injury in Istanbul, or again during the FA Cup Final in 2006. Nor was it really a surprise when he appeared from the bench in Athens, despite having spent the season on the treatment table as his talent cannot be questioned.
Much has been made of the amount he has been paid in wages during the time with the club, which again is an unfair criticism. If he was motivated by the size of his wage packet he would never have joined Liverpool in the first place!
This suggestion also ignores the fact that clubs take out insurance policies against the possibility of players being injured so much of the cost won't have been born by the club but by whichever insurance company was unlucky enough to offer that particular policy.
There were bright spots, particularly during the 2005/06 season where he managed to stay clear of injury for long enough to find something approaching his best form. When I think of Kewell I will always remember the FA Cup game against Manchester Utd that season, during which he was as committed, effective and aggressive as I have ever seen him.
His challenge with Gary Neville that day, which resulted in Neville becoming acquainted with the advertising hoardings, showed the comments made before and after suggesting he was lazy and not bothered as being nothing more than ridiculous twaddle.
Ultimately though such good times were all too brief, and such showings were like a fisherman offering a chunk of something tasty to the unwary fish. Just when you thought it was safe to bite, it was all taken away again.
Reports suggest that he may well be heading to Juventus, and as he approaches his 30th birthday he will be hoping he has a couple of good seasons left in his career. That will depend on whether he can find some long term fitness, but as he heads out of the door at Anfield we should be wishing him well in his endeavour to do so.
What are your impressions of Harry Kewell's time at Liverpool? Post your comments below.