[lfc-news] Partridge in a fair plea to manager Benitez - Post

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Liverpool Daily Post, 12 Nov 2004
Partridge in a fair plea to manager Benitez
By David Prior, Daily Post

RICHIE PARTRIDGE hopes his first appearance in four years will persuade
Rafael Benitez to give him a more regular chance at Liverpool - and save
his Anfield career.

The 24-year-old winger was the fifth of six Academy starlets to appear in
the Carling Cup clash against Middlesbrough on Wednesday night, replacing
Florent Sinama-Pongolle in the 69th minute and inspiring the hosts' late
2-0 win.

Amazingly, it was Partridge's first taste of first-team action since the
8-0 Worthington Cup rout at Stoke in November 2000, the Dublin-born former
trainee having seen his nine-year spell with the Merseysiders interrupted
by injury as well as a season-long loan to Coventry two years ago.

Partridge is currently on a one-year deal that expires at the end of this
season, and after his promising display on the right flank against Boro is
keen to convince Rafael Benitez he is worthy of an extension.

"It's been a long time and it's just pleasing to come away with a victory,"
he said.

"I felt good. Coming on in a game like that, which was fast and furious,
was always going to be hard. I was struggling a bit to get my second wind
but as soon as that came I settled down and did all right.

"I was quite pleased to set Neil (Mellor) up with the first goal. I think
that dampened their spirits and kicked us on to win the game."

Partridge suffered a serious cruciate knee ligament injury in a freak
collision with a team-mate in a reserve game a year ago, but after
returning to full fitness the Republic of Ireland under-21 international is
eager to make up for lost time.

He added: "Anfield is a wonderful venue to play at. Playing there on
Wednesday will stand me, and all the other young lads who were involved, in
good stead for the future.

"I have to build on this now. I have a year left on my contract and I know
I have to keep working hard. If I do that, then hopefully I'll get another
chance to prove what I can do."

Partridge and his fellow Academy graduates will at least be hoping to play
in the quarter-final against Tottenham, which was yesterday scheuled for
Wednesday, December 1 at 7.45pm.

Meanwhile, Australia coach Frank Farina has given his backing to Harry
Kewell after naming the underfire winger in his Australia squad for the
forthcoming friendly international against Norway.

Kewell has come in for criticsim for his recent performances, as well as
concerns over his fitness, but his national coach was quick to defend his
star turn.

Farina said: "He's going through a difficult period - I think we all know
that. It is not something I'm concerned about, to be honest. In terms of
the national team, Harry's never let us down."


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