Kewell’s long-awaited return to action has ended in jubilation after the Liverpool winger starred in Liverpool Reserves' 3-1 win over Everton Reserves at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground overnight.

Famously, Kewell has not played since scoring the equaliser against Croatia to send Australia into the knockout rounds of the World Cup.

After starting on the bench, Kewell entered the fray on 55 minutes, and after just five minutes beat two defenders before setting up striker Craig Lindfield for a simple tap-in finish. Kewell’s impact has been described as “magical” but he was not satisfied with just one mazy run. A second goal beckoned after Kewell again set up another likely goal. Kewell’s trickery put 19-year-old midfielder Paul Anderson through, but his shot was saved by Everton goalkeeper John Ruddy.

Kewell is not in the reckoning to make Liverpool’s first team for the Champions League tie against Chelsea tomorrow morning Australian time, and Rafa Benitez has remained tight-lipped on when his number seven will return to English Premiership action.