Liverpool winger Harry Kewell has thanked boss Rafael Benitez for salvaging his top flight career.
The Australia international star, who was sidelined for virtually 10 months due to injuries and recovery from operations, claims that without Benitez's support "I'd have been left in a hole and probably faded away."
A disastrous attempt at a return in the Champions League final, where he was forced off in Istanbul before half-time, just highlighted Kewell's problems.
But now the left-sided midfielder has completed a run of 26 consecutive appearances for Liverpool and is contemplating an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea, a third-place Premiership finish and the forthcoming World Cup.
"If I want to repay the manager then I have to start scoring more goals for him and for the team," Kewell said. "I want to do the things I know I'm capable of doing. That's what is driving me on.
"I've never been in an FA Cup semi-final so on a personal level it's going to be a big thing just to play in that. If we can reach the final then that will be even better.
"It's going to be a tough game against Chelsea but we're not looking that far ahead yet because there are other matches to play and win before that one comes along. There's no doubt it's going to be a fantastic occasion though."
Kewell has recovered from serious groin problems to claim a regular place on Liverpool's left side, and he says of Benitez: "Without the manager's confidence in me I'd have been left in a hole and probably faded away. If you don't have the backing of your manager and team-mates then you're lost."
