HARRY Kewell has become such a forgotten face at Liverpool.

So it hardly came as a surprise to see many of the club's Asian fans staring at each other in apparent disbelief this week when the Australia winger took to the field against South China FC at the Hong Kong Stadium.

After spending most of the past year on the sidelines battling a succession of injuries that threatened to end his career, few expected Kewell to survive beyond the close season at Anfield.

But, having been reassured by Rafael Benitez that he remains a big part of his plans, the 28-year-old is desperate to repay the faith the Liverpool manager has shown in him.

Kewell could have just as easily been soaking up the sun on a beach somewhere rather than charging up and down the left flank in the stifling Hong Kong humidity on Tuesday evening.

But the fact that he was willing to forgo a holiday to join up with his team-mates on the club's pre-season tour of the Far East, only days after competing for Australia in the Asian Cup, served to emphasise just how desperate the player is to win back his place in the Liverpool side.

The arrival of Ryan Babel, Yossi Benayoun and Sebastian Leto this summer has significantly improved Benitez's options on the wings, but Kewell believes there is still some life left in the old dog yet.

'I had to get back because we've got some greater players here, some new signings and you've got to fight for your position early on in the season,' Kewell said.

'I'm desperate to do that.

'It would have been a bit of a shifty move to go all the way back to England and then not met up with the team.

'I suppose I could have had a holiday, but I play for Liverpool Football Club, it's a big thing being at this club this season and you have to work hard and be pushing for your position all the time. So it was really important for me to get back.'

Kewell managed to play in Liverpool's final three games last season, including the Champions League final defeat by AC Milan, but for long periods many wondered whether he would ever return, least of all to Liverpool, as he underwent countless operations on his feet, ankles and groin.

But despite only having a year remaining of his £70,000 ($217,107) a week contract, Benitez opted against cashing in on Kewell and has given the winger the chance to fight for his place.

It is an opportunity the player is especially grateful for and one that, in his darkest moments, he feared he might never again get.

'I did have moments of despair last season but I have a strong family behind me, a good medical staff, a fantastic manager and a great club so at times when you are down and out you just look to that support and thankfully I've always had it,' he said.

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'It's very important to have a manager who believes in you.

'A lot of people doubted him (Benitez), but he stood by me which shows he has great faith in me and I just want to repay him for that.

'I'm relieved to be back because obviously last year I was away most of the time getting treatment for injuries so it's just great to be playing again.'

Kewell has already set his sights on wrestling the league title from Manchester United's grasp and believes that the fact that he has been out for so long could even work in his favour as defenders run the risk of underestimating him.

'I've got one year left (on my contract) and I just want to play for Liverpool and hopefully help the team push for the title,' he said.

'I've been out for a while so players may have forgotten what I can do so to me it's like Liverpool having a new player. I can go out there now and do something different to what I've been doing for a while.

'I've always had confidence in myself and as long as I stay fit and healthy there's no reason why I can't go out there, enjoy myself and play good football.'

Benitez agreed that Kewell's return after such a long time out is, in effect, like making a new signing.

'He has been injured for a long time, but now he is fit and that can only help us as a team,' the manager said. 'He is like another new signing.

'When you look around the market place, it is clear that there are not many wingers with Harry's quality and that is why it is so important for us to have him back.

'He gives us something different.

'He has pace, can go past a man and is a very good player.'

Kewell will hope to prove that that is still the case.

The writer is a sports journalist with The Times of London. He was named Young Journalist of the Year and Reporter of the Year in the British Regional Press Awards in 2003.