Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier has made a passionate defence of his big summer signing Harry Kewell.
Kewell, bought from Leeds United for £5 million sterling to boost Liverpool's attack, has struggled in the opening two games of the season.
Liverpool have managed to find the net only once - with a retaken Michael Owen penalty against Chelsea - while Kewell was ineffective in the 0-0 draw at Aston Villa on Sunday.
"We have to be indulgent with Harry because he didn't have a good week of training before the game," Houllier told reporters today. "Don't forget he didn't play for his national team against Ireland (last Tuesday) and he only started training on Friday after an Achilles strain," Houllier said.
"As expected, he started the game [at Villa Park] slowly but got better and better and finished the game well.
"I was pleased with his contribution to the result. I'm not going to dwell on it. It happens sometimes a player is not at his best because he didn't train due to an injury. That is all," he said.
Houllier admitted Kewell, who missed an open goal 10 minutes into the game against Villa, was under pressure to produce match-winning performances after building an impressive reputation as a creative player at Leeds.
"That does add a bit of pressure on him, but we are making sure he feels comfortable," Houllier said. "He is settling well in the team and his team mates like him. It will take some games before he is working properly. I know he is a big player. He's a winner, a fighter and a creative talent."