Kewell comes through reserves test

Liverpool midfielder Harry Kewell stepped up his comeback from injury by playing 60 minutes in the reserves' 1-1 draw with Newcastle tonight.

Australian international Kewell has been out for two months with a groin injury but is hoping to prove his fitness in time for next week's Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen.

Kewell was deployed as a central striker with another player pushing for a first-team return, Vladimir Smicer, operating on the left.

Spanish full-back Josemi, out for a similar length of time with a knee injury, played the first half.

Anthony le Tallec claimed the Liverpool equaliser at the Racecourse Ground after James Milner had opened the scoring for Newcastle.