Robbie Keane

[lionelhutz]

It was truly awful. As bad as the miss against Athletico Madrid. Ball was pulled back perfectly for him and he went with his right when he should have just tapped it in from 2 yards with his left.

Watched the full game and he was making some good runs but when he got on the ball he never did anything with it. Very disappointing after his couple of goals last week.

[Crosby87]

He is so hot and cold sometimes. Then subbed for at 60. Just not a guy to count on when things are stressful as good as he was last week.

[shakermaker1982]

I seem to be getting abuse off Liverpool fans (work, friends but thank God no family member supports em :) ) every time he misses a chance?! I'm trying to defend him but christ after another howler like that today mr moaner might end up following Bellamy out the door after 1 season.

He must be getting annoyed with Benitez's substitution policy right now. On a hat trick against WBA and subbed and then taken off after 60 minutes. 5 men in MF against Bolton?

[eirebhoy]

4 goals and 4 assists so far in premiership and CL. Not bad and as we know he gets better later in the season.

[shakermaker1982]

4 goals and 4 assists so far in premiership and CL. Not bad and as we know he gets better later in the season.

20 million outlay and only two goals in the PL? He needs to start bucking his ideas up fast because Benitez seems to have a hard on for 4-5-1 and once Torres is fit then Keano might find himself being used as an impact sub which would be disastrous for our World Cup campaign.

[eirebhoy]

20 million outlay and only two goals in the PL? He needs to start bucking his ideas up fast because Benitez seems to have a hard on for 4-5-1 and once Torres is fit then Keano might find himself being used as an impact sub which would be disastrous for our World Cup campaign.
Berbatov, Rooney and Tevez don't have many goals either but I don't think Ferguson would be worried about that.

[elroy]

It was a bad miss and particularly considering the miss against madrid only a few weeks ago. He really should just have put his foot through it. But having said that both Gerrard and Torres missed really good chances in the second half but we wont hear anything about them. Although both of them redeemed themselves with the second goal.

With Keane only playing on average 70 mins, i wonder is that a concern for us ie that he will not be able to put in a good full 90 mins for us from a fitness point of view.

[gspain]

Although it is only a friendly it is difficult to see Robbie being pulled by Liverpool. They also pulled Gerrard from the England squad. Any bets that they'[ll be fine for next weekend. Likewise Man utd rested Rooney and Ferdinand yesterday and pulled them from the England squad. Any odds they'll make a lazerus like recovery in time for next weekend?

For a friendly it is annoying but not a huge deal so long as it doesn't start happening later in the season for our big qualifiers.

It does appear McGeady is genuinely injured. I have doubts around the others.

[elroy]

Although it is only a friendly it is difficult to see Robbie being pulled by Liverpool. They also pulled Gerrard from the England squad. Any bets that they'[ll be fine for next weekend. Likewise Man utd rested Rooney and Ferdinand yesterday and pulled them from the England squad. Any odds they'll make a lazerus like recovery in time for next weekend?

For a friendly it is annoying but not a huge deal so long as it doesn't start happening later in the season for our big qualifiers.

It does appear McGeady is genuinely injured. I have doubts around the others.

Well hes withdrawn from the squad for def, not a great surprise knowing Liverpools record on this.......though i dont necessarily think its a bad thing for this game. We already know as much as we need to about Robbie. No harm try something different up front. Noel Hunt has been called up.

[shakermaker1982]

Berbatov, Rooney and Tevez don't have many goals either but I don't think Ferguson would be worried about that.

To be fair to Fergie as long as Ronaldo's fit he knows they'll be ok :D Liverpool on the other hand without a fit Torres are relying on Kuty to bail em out..... Keane needs to be careful. Keano works hard for the team and we all know he is not suited as a lone striker in a 4-5-1 so it's partly Benitez's fault that Keano isn't racking up the goals but the chances he is getting are not being converted.

Oh well he has a nice break to recuperate. It's going to be very interesting to see who the Trap will call up as Keane's replacement. Will we see McCarthy (not like for like but Noel Hunt has already been drafted in) or will be see the return of singer/songwriter Andy Reid?

[eirebhoy]

Although it is only a friendly it is difficult to see Robbie being pulled by Liverpool.
He actually travelled.

Keane assembled with the squad today in Dublin but was unable to partake in this afternoon’s training session at Gannon Park, Malahide.

Having been assessed by medical staff, it was decided that he will not be fit for the game and will, therefore, return to his club.

http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3797

[gspain]

He actually travelled.

Keane assembled with the squad today in Dublin but was unable to partake in this afternoon’s training session at Gannon Park, Malahide.

Having been assessed by medical staff, it was decided that he will not be fit for the game and will, therefore, return to his club.

http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3797

Thanks - wasn't aware of that. It is likely to be genuine then. As stated above by elroy it is a great opportunity to try out some others. We had some great players in the past who missed a lot of matches due to "injury". At least we never had a Ryan Giggs. I see England called up Gerrard anyway for a medical assessment.

There is a balance between accomodating the club and making the point that you won't have the wool pulled over your eyes either. We have some huge games in the spring and need our key players when some may be involved in a title challenge and a champions league challenge.

[shakermaker1982]

I didn't watch the game last night but how bad was he? WTF have Liverpool done to Keano?

[Stuttgart88]

I saw the first half and he was anonymous. West Ham had a blanket defence and Liverpool’s best moments came from corners where they utilised Hyppia’s threat in the air. Not once did they try and play the ball into the box along the ground.

Robbie was playing alone upfront and was swamped by West Ham defenders. Kuyt played deeper and saw far more of the ball.

I only heard bits of second half on the radio. Jan Molby was the summariser and he felt that Keane offered no threat but that was mainly due to Benitez playing him in an inappropriate role. Molby suggested he’d be far better playing off Kuyt & that getting substituted regularly is hammering his confidence especially when replaced by a 19 year old rookie. Alan Greene was more of the opinion that he was just woefully off form.

[third policeman]

He wasn't so much bad as anonymous. Had sympathy for him as he was clearly under orders to play ahead of Kuyt and he got absolutely no quality supply. Kuyt was really woeful playing in the role that would have suited Robbie much better. I would have preferred to see Kuyt withdrawn, and Robbie being allowed to drop deep behind Ngog. Benitez clearly has no idea what he's doing, and has a total blind spot about Kuyt. Robbie and Babel are the main victims of Benitez's tactical ineptitude and irrational favouritism. His confidence must be draining away by the minute. I wish to God Benitez would go to Real and Liverpool appoint a manager with the imagination to get the best out of their formidable attacking talent.

[lionelhutz]

I thought Gerrard was terrible last night too. Anytime he got the ball within 40 yards all he thought about was getting a shot in rather than looking for a through ball to Keane or someone else. And his shooting was appalling.

Keane looked so frustrated - he must have barely got 5 touches of the ball in the 65mins he was on. And to be taken off for a nobody will destroy his confidence. I agree he seems to love Kuyt even when he's having a negative impact on the team and simply doesnt take him off.

The problem with Benitez is that he decides his subsitutes before the game which is crazy IMO. Substitutes should be decided on how the game is going, what is needed for your team and how each player is performing. Instead he has it in his head from the first whistle that he's going to take Keane off after 65 mins. Keane knows this too and is constantly thinking about it.

[irishfan86]

While I agree that Benitez used Keane incorrectly last night, I have to disagree on the comments about Kuyt.

While last night wasn't one of his better games, he has been one of Liverpool's best players this season, especially in the absence of Torres.

If Benitez wants to get the best out of Robbie, he needs to play him in a withdrawn role, or perhaps even on the sides of that 3 pronged attack.

I'm also more of a fan of Babel than I am of Benayoun.

Robbie Keane is quickly becoming the next Voronin- if this poor form continues much longer he'll be run out of town.

[NeilMcD]

He wasn't so much bad as anonymous. Had sympathy for him as he was clearly under orders to play ahead of Kuyt and he got absolutely no quality supply. Kuyt was really woeful playing in the role that would have suited Robbie much better. I would have preferred to see Kuyt withdrawn, and Robbie being allowed to drop deep behind Ngog. Benitez clearly has no idea what he's doing, and has a total blind spot about Kuyt. Robbie and Babel are the main victims of Benitez's tactical ineptitude and irrational favouritism. His confidence must be draining away by the minute. I wish to God Benitez would go to Real and Liverpool appoint a manager with the imagination to get the best out of their formidable attacking talent.

Jesus Christ how much of a high opinon do you have of your own opinion. You think that Il Trap and Benitez do not know what they are doing and they are tactically inept. Yet both have one European Cups and League titles.

I do not agree with everything that Benitez does but I would never say that he has no idea at what he is doing.

[dr_peepee]

Is anyone truly surprised by what's happened thus far at Liverpool for Keane???

To qualify that, I do rate Keane so it's not a cheap dig. I just haven't seen anything from Keane in a red shirt that I've not seen already for Ireland Spurs or Leads at stages.

If I'm honest, I believe he found his level at Spurs. But to be fair to him I don't think his current use in the team is what Benitez had in mind when he signed him. I think we'll see the best of Keane when Gerard (or even Kuyt) is unnavailable. Plus he always comes into his own in the second half of the season. A couple of braces totally changes the look of the oul' goal to games ratio. I'm willing him to do well. It's clearly eating at him.

From his own perspective it's a pity there's no International break soon because I think it does players well to get away to a different environment for a while...

[rambler14]

There's an old saying: "Never meet your heroes you'll only be dissappointed!" well in Robbie's case you shouldn't play for them either because you'll only be dissappointing!

Keane should go back to Spurs where he could do no wrong. He's missing a hold-up player like he had with Berbatov. If Liverpool had kept Crouch we would right now be saying what a success his move was.
I think him and Roman Pavlyuchenko would make a great strike force! Him and Torres just don't work.

[Docboy]

To be fair, and speaking as a Spurs fan, Keane only really played consistently well once Berbatov arrived at the club. The pair enjoyed a good relationship with Keane's anticipation of situations aided by the fact that he could be certain of Berbatov's ability to play it into the right areas.

I'm not really surprised at what's happened at Anfield for him so far. Torres seems more suited to playing on his own while Keane, although known as a hard worker, never gets the tackles in or wins the ball back as is the Liverpool way under the current manager. Surprised at Benitez signing him.

Also I agree with the above poster, him and Crouch probably would have made a fine partnership with Torres out injured!

[eirebhoy]

There seems to be a lot more pressure on Keane to score from the fans and media than Rooney and Tevez who haven't been scoring much this season.

[superfrank]

What? Rooney has grabbed a good few this season. Lately, he's gone off the boil.

Not sure how many Tevez has got but I get the feeling he won't be there much longer. He doesn't seem too happy.

[irishfan86]

There seems to be a lot more pressure on Keane to score from the fans and media than Rooney and Tevez who haven't been scoring much this season.

Rooney, as England's favourite son, is praised for his "hard work" and "intelligence" when he's not scoring goals.

Tevez has been the odd man out since Berbatov's arrival, so I think the fans are sympathetic to his situation.

While the top pundits tend to agree that Robbie isn't being utilized correctly, the lowest common denominator of supporter is getting frustrated.

[eirebhoy]

What? Rooney has grabbed a good few this season. Lately, he's gone off the boil.

Not sure how many Tevez has got but I get the feeling he won't be there much longer. He doesn't seem too happy.
Rooney - 6 goals, 4 assists
Keane - 4 goals, 4 assists
Tevez - 1 goal, 2 assists

Tevez hasn't played much but hardly ever looks like scoring and Keane can work just as hard in deep positions if he didn't concentrate on the goalscoring part.

[Kingdom]

To be fair to Keane, he has played a few games as the lone striker, which absolutely does not suit his game. There is no denying the goals haven't flowed for him as much as he, or Liverpool, would have liked. However in the games he has played with Torres, his performances have been good, the link play between the two is good, and unfortunately due to Torres injuries, when they've seemed like they're getting a partnership going either torres is injured or the Int break comes along.
He'll be fine.

[Stuttgart88]

Keane excels at broken play and counter attacks, thats why he was a demon at spurs. I was watching Liverpool v West Ham last night and it was like the anti-Keane game. Liverpool pushed everyone forward, West Ham pushed everyone back and Liverpool were either

- Playing crosses into the box which were obviously aimed for Kuyt or Hyypia, not suitable for Keane.

- Playing it back for Gerrard or Alonso to strike from distance.

It was just a horrible use of Keane and it's no surprise he wasnt in the game. Benitez needs to use him better, I think ideally it'd be for Kuyt to get injured so they'll stop playing an aerial game.Imposter alert. I think someone has got hold of Ciaran's log in and password and is actually talking sense.

[OwlsFan]

Keane better than his form:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/liverpool/3542975/Robbie-Keane-is-a-better-player-than-current-form-says-Liverpool-manager-Rafael-Benitez.html

[Junior]

Rooney - 6 goals, 4 assists
Keane - 4 goals, 4 assists
Tevez - 1 goal, 2 assists

Tevez hasn't played much but hardly ever looks like scoring and Keane can work just as hard in deep positions if he didn't concentrate on the goalscoring part.


Haha its a funny old game as greavsie would say.....

[eirebhoy]

Aye just shows you how quickly things might change for Keane too. ;)

[shakermaker1982]

Rooney - 6 goals, 4 assists
Keane - 4 goals, 4 assists
Tevez - 1 goal, 2 assists

Tevez hasn't played much but hardly ever looks like scoring and Keane can work just as hard in deep positions if he didn't concentrate on the goalscoring part.

Make that 5 goals for Tevez now :D

Rooney has been woeful this season. Still seems to be picking up MOM awards though which bewilders me.

[Maroon 7]

The problem as I see it is that last season Liverpool had Torres who could literally create and score goals out of nothing by himself. They would knock the ball up to him and he would knock it past two defenders, outpace them and dink it over the keeper. Either that or he would get the ball 30 yards from goal, turn a defender and blast it into the net. The amount of goals he scored off his own bat last season was incredible.

Robbie can't do that. You have to be creating goal scoring chances for Robbie because he can't do what Torres does and Liverpool in most of their recent games and just not creating chances for him. Admitedly it hasn't helped that he missed a couple of sitters earlier in the season. The one against Bolton especially was a terrible miss so his confidence must be fairly low at present.

One of his best games for Liverpool was in the derby against Everton where he had two assists and played alongside Torres. Unfortunately for Keane the two of them just haven't been on the field together enough.

[Noelys Guitar]

According to the tabloids today Benitez is willing to let Keane go in the January window. Strange one that if true. No way will Liverpool recoup ther money (unless Mark Hughes is interested).

[Colbert Report]

The tabloids might be right. The Torres-less Benitez has left Keane on the bench for today's match against Blackburn. Would he be able to go back to Tottenham? The last thing we need is our captain and best player on the bench and short of match fitness.

Get out while you can Robbie! You need ninety minutes a week with a lower club.

[Noelys Guitar]

The tabloids might be right. The Torres-less Benitez has left Keane on the bench for today's match against Blackburn. Would he be able to go back to Tottenham? The last thing we need is our captain and best player on the bench and short of match fitness.

Get out while you can Robbie! You need ninety minutes a week with a lower club.

From the BBC site. Time to go Robbie
1623: Oof, that's got to hurt. Ryan Babel comes off for Liverpool and he is replaced not by Robbie Keane but by Nabil El Zhar.

[Closed Account]

3 subs used(el zhar, lucas, riera). Not looking good for Robbie. Ok, he hasn't played too well from what I've seen of him. Hasn't been his confidence self.
But Benitez hasn't been using him properly either. Both parties to blame.

January transfer window is key now for Robbie, can go two ways.
1. They sell him. Might work out for Robbie, might not.

2. They buy a target man. Santa Cruz would be an astute buy. Robbie
could thrive with a big man again.

Unfortunately Benitez has a negative view on football and in the big games
can't drop Mascherano, Alonso or Gerrard.

[Colbert Report]

I don't see Robbie leaving Liverpool this January. Torres' hamstring is suspect, and Kuyt is the only other established top flight striker they have available. He just won't get to play, which is terrible from our perspective. Who knows, if Kuyt were to get injured Robbie would get ninety minutes a match for sure.

[elroy]

I doubt the rumours are true. Benitez has been all praise for Keane since he has joined. Benitez tends to make some bizarre team selections every now and then, id be very surprised if Keane doesnt start in the CL next week.
I saw most of the second half and pool didnt play great and although Kuyt works very hard, I still think they wouldve have been a better team if Keane played. Babel was very poor.

Keane does need to start scoring a few more for them though and quick.

[shakermaker1982]

Bellamy was let go after a decent first season. I have mentioned this before and got laughed out of town. If you join a 'big' club then you need to tuck away chances. Ok Benitez is not playing to his strengths but I've also seen Keane have plenty of gilt edge chances since August and he's fluffed the majority of them. Top strikers like Torres bury them. I rate Keane - don't get me wrong but he's struggling right now and giving plenty of ammo to his critics.

Leapfrogged by El Zhar? WTF?

[livehead1]

It looks like the rumours are true and you can't get away from the fact that so far the move hasn't worked. I don't mind who he is signed with as long as he is playing regularly, something which looks increasingly unlikely at Liverpool.

[Noelys Guitar]

It looks like the rumours are true and you can't get away from the fact that so far the move hasn't worked. I don't mind who he is signed with as long as he is playing regularly, something which looks increasingly unlikely at Liverpool.

Playing under Redknapp would probably be ideal for Keane at this moment in time. Like it or not Keane needs to be indulged/appreciated. We need a Keane who will take his one or two chances in the upcoming games.

[brianw82]

Like it or not Keane needs to be indulged/appreciated

From what I've read of Benitez in Carragher's book, Keane won't get that from him. He's always bugging players to do better, never satisfied with them. He's not the one to put an arm around players when they're doing badly.

[Junior]

Playing under Redknapp would probably be ideal for Keane at this moment in time. Like it or not Keane needs to be indulged/appreciated. We need a Keane who will take his one or two chances in the upcoming games.

But Im not sure playing with Bent would make any sense. He's not the big /target type guy Keane likes to play off.

[elroy]

But Im not sure playing with Bent would make any sense. He's not the big /target type guy Keane likes to play off.

Couldnt agree more, Keanes best performances have when he has played alongside a target man ie Quinn, Berbatov. I think Keane and Torres will actually work quite well together given a bit of time. Its unfortunate with Torres injury because more is expected of Keane than would normally be the case. Hopefully he'll play in the CL on wed and nick a goal or two.

[ken foree]

well since we don't have a big top-class target man for keane to play off, does it matter? perhaps we should be willing him to transform his game at 'pool because we're not gonna be able to naturalize berba or peter crouch.

[Razors left peg]

well since we don't have a big top-class target man for keane to play off, does it matter? perhaps we should be willing him to transform his game at 'pool because we're not gonna be able to naturalize berba or peter crouch.

In fairness Kevin Doyle wins alot of balls in the air, I still think that him and Robbie can be a good partnership.Didnt really work under Staunton but I think it can with better work on the training ground with Trap

[eirebhoy]

Nice pass by Keane for Liverpool's 3rd tonight. Commentator said something like "Looking at Keane's body language he's probably saying 'when has anyone looked to do that for me tonight'".

[strangeirish]

He was non-existent in the first half, but played much better in the second. Had some nice touches. Looked like he was annoyed at Babel all night and was well justified more than once. However, he needs to quit getting upset every time he doesn't get a pass. It's getting old, real old.

[jmurphyc]

Possibly his best game for Liverpool tonight. He was certainly one of Liverpool's best performers tonight, if not the best. As for the transfer talk, I seriously doubt he'll be sold in the January transfer window. There's a slim chance he'll leave next summer, but only if his performances don't improve, which is also something I can't see happening.

Also, he played as the second striker tonight, behind a target man type player (N'gog) so that's just further proof that he only works properly in a particular role.

[Stuttgart88]

Nice pass by Keane for Liverpool's 3rd tonight. Commentator said something like "Looking at Keane's body language he's probably saying 'when has anyone looked to do that for me tonight'".
He played a super pass for Lucas(?) shortly afterwards too.

I think he does himself no favours with his gesticulating though, even when it's largely justified.