To see the Prime Minister meet Harry and the Roos and Matildas today...

Local and national newspapers alike were less than kind as they reflected on the Australian’s injury-hit five years at Anfield.

Some papers took pleasure in working out just how much he had cost Liverpool per game while others questioned his hunger and compared him unfavourably to previous Merseyside number sevens.

But Kewell is adamant that he has nothing to apologise for or feel guilty about. He sees himself as an athlete who was just unfortunate to suffer injuries beyond his control.

Asked to respond to the criticism dished out, Kewell said: “When are they ever polite?

"We all know that the newspapers and reporters have their favourites. There’s always scapegoats or always people they want to blame.

“It’s unfortunate that I was one of them. I didn’t put my hand up to be injured. It’s one of these things you have to go through in your life. It’s a shame because I haven’t done anything wrong.

“They want to write things and it’s not always nice but again you just don’t read it, don’t see it and get on with your life. You know what you’re capable of doing on the pitch and that’s the most important thing.”

He was then asked how he viewed the Australian press in comparison? “Exactly the same,” he said before a pause and then a burst of laughter.

“Yes, alright they’ve always been good to me so that’s why I’m more open to them.”

On a happier note, another topic of media interest has been the Socceroo captaincy. Would Kewell be interested?

He said: “It would be a great honour but we know nothing of the situation at the moment. Obviously it’s the manager’s decision and whoever he appoints will get the full backing of every member of the team.

“It is an ambition for every player that they would like to lead out a team. But when you’re out there on the park it is not only one person that leads the team it is the whole eleven.”

To see the Prime Minister meet Harry and the Roos and Matildas today...