Harry Kewell will play the best football of his career over the coming year, according to his club manager.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has had his patience tested by Kewell's catalogue of injuries and Australian national duty, but now thinks he is ready to show his best.

Kewell may have starred in Australia's World Cup qualifying defeat of Uruguay but has played just one full match for Liverpool this season.

He is expected to get his chance against Sunderland in a Premier League catch-up fixture (Wednesday night local time), as he pushes for the left-sided midfield role vacated by Boudewijn "Bolo" Zenden, who is out for the rest of the year with a knee injury.

"If he plays every week for two or three months then he could make the difference for us," Benitez said.

"I have seen a lot of very good players who have had similar injury problems.

"Harry is very talented and he is definitely fitter now, but you need to play games to get there totally.

"In training he is very focused, you can see he is enjoying his situation again.

"I think we will see the best of Harry Kewell this year, particularly with the World Cup to come.

"He needs to play well because national managers will be watching.

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