Robbie Keane

**mypost** · 29/07/2008, 1:11 PM

Originally Posted by Ciaran

Keane will get rested, hopefully for useless cup matches and that's no harm. The extent of Rafa's rotation system is greatly exaggerated.

There's no such thing as a "useless" competitive match.

**co. down green** · 29/07/2008, 1:51 PM

Robbie press conference

**dublinred** · 29/07/2008, 1:52 PM

Liverpool don't play with the same amount of flair as Spurs do, they are more defensive they play a counter attacking game , Benirez likes one striker so expect Robbie will be on the right wing most of the time , he will get fewer chances and games than he would of got at Spurs , dissapointed he moved but can see his reasons.

**tetsujin1979** · 29/07/2008, 2:24 PM

Originally Posted by londonred

Liverpool don't play with the same amount of flair as Spurs do, they are more defensive they play a counter attacking game , Benirez likes one striker so expect Robbie will be on the right wing most of the time , he will get fewer chances and games than he would of got at Spurs , dissapointed he moved but can see his reasons.

I think he'll end up playing where Gerrard was last season, behind Torres. This will push Gerrard back into midfield, or on the right to replace Kuyt

**Maroon 7** · 29/07/2008, 2:28 PM

Originally Posted by londonred

Liverpool don't play with the same amount of flair as Spurs do

Spurs have to attack seeing as they can't defend.

Liverpool for an allegedly defensive team still score loads of goals. Robbie will get his fair share.

**TheBoss** · 29/07/2008, 4:07 PM

I can not see him being a success, the way that Liverpool played for the last few seasons, might not be suited to him unless Benitez is playing something different. Also, €25m, is way too much for him, he is about €10-€15 at best imo

**tetsujin1979** · 29/07/2008, 4:26 PM

Considering Bent's signed for Spurs for 16.5m, and Keane kept him out of the team for the better part of 2 seasons, I reckon he's worth far more than 10-15m

**pete** · 29/07/2008, 4:45 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Considering Bent's signed for Spurs for 16.5m, and Keane kept him out of the team for the better part of 2 seasons, I reckon he's worth far more than 10-15m

Based on that logic you are making an assumption that Bent was worth his price.

Keane needs to play games regularly as he not a player to come off the bench & score. I see him playing left forward/midfield for big games.

20m sterling for 28 year old is expensive.

**Maroon 7** · 29/07/2008, 5:15 PM

Originally Posted by pete

Based on that logic you are making an assumption that Bent was worth his price.

Keane needs to play games regularly as he not a player to come off the bench & score. I see him playing left forward/midfield for big games.

20m sterling for 28 year old is expensive.

Well Berbatov is 27 and Spurs are looking for 30 million for him.

Andy Johnson is 27 and looks like he's going to Fulham for 13 million.

That's the market place in England at the moment.

**Emmet** · 29/07/2008, 5:56 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

I said improve dramatically ... Keane's game may seem improved while playing with liverpool because he's playing with better players, but when he goes back to play for his country, he'll still be dealing with the same level as he is now.

I don't think anyone's expecting a 'dramatic' improvement but - provided he plays regularly - he should move up another level as a player. The culture and mindset at Liverpool will be different to anything he has experienced before (with the exception of Inter Milan) - even if we see greater maturity and a raised expectation of himself and his teammates, that would be significant enough for me. It all hinges on him playing regularly - Keane strikes me as one of those 'confidence' players ... sustained periods watching Torres, Gerrard et al. from the bench might have the complete opposite effect.

**Emmet** · 29/07/2008, 6:02 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

I think he'll end up playing where Gerrard was last season, behind Torres. This will push Gerrard back into midfield, or on the right to replace Kuyt

I'd be surprised if Benitez changed Gerrard and Torres - the general feeling towards the end of last season was that had he played that combination, up front, from the start then Liverpool would have been in a position to challenge for the League. He has bought established strikers before and played them in midfield - I have a feeling that could be where Robbie ends up.

**DotTV** · 29/07/2008, 7:46 PM

Originally Posted by Emmet

I don't think anyone's expecting a 'dramatic' improvement but - provided he plays regularly - he should move up another level as a player. The culture and mindset at Liverpool will be different to anything he has experienced before (with the exception of Inter Milan) - even if we see greater maturity and a raised expectation of himself and his teammates, that would be significant enough for me. It all hinges on him playing regularly - Keane strikes me as one of those 'confidence' players ... sustained periods watching Torres, Gerrard et al. from the bench might have the complete opposite effect.

Robbie dug his heels in bigtime when he was dropped at Spurs and ended up coming back to be captain. Fair enough he thrives on confidence, but in reality all players do. I think he knows what's ahead of him and he's got enough character to fight for his place. Good move for him and nice to see our best player join one of the top teams in Europe.

**Emmet** · 29/07/2008, 8:37 PM

That's true DotTV but he wasn't competing with Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard at Spurs ... hopefully he isn't under any illusions and realises that he will have to work doubly hard just to have a chance of holding down a regular place.

**Razors left peg** · 29/07/2008, 10:12 PM

Just as a matter of interest those people on this forum who are saying that Keane will be on the bench/midfield or basically not a regular striker for liverpool, are they the same people who critisise Shay Given for not having the ambition to leave Newcastle or Damien Duff for choosing Newcastle over Liverpool when he made his move. I think Robbie Keane deserves alot of credit for wanting to better himself as a player and push himself to higher levels playing in the Champions League. He could easily have settled for spending the rest of his career being loved by Spurs fans but never achieving very much.
Also to say hes is not worth the transfer fee is unfair. Look at the prices that are being asked for Arashvin,Berbatov,Andy Johnson,Gareth Barry etc. Im pretty sure that in their time together at Spurs Robbie has more goals and more assists than Berbatov but yet Spurs are asking well over 30 million for him. Arashvin has burst onto the world scene in last seasons UEFA Cup and 2 good games in the Euros and he gets talked about as a superstar, hes 27 and only one year younger than Robbie, yet Robbie has been playing consistantly well for nearly 10 years now at club and international level. Sometimes I think we look at a foreign name and automatically assume he is infinately superior to an Irish lad.In my opinion Keane is one of the most under rated players playing in the Premiership for last few seasons and Im delighted that his talent has been recognised by one of the big 4.
The only bitch of it is that as a Man U fan Im gonna have to start hating him now

**lionelhutz** · 30/07/2008, 2:51 PM

Benitez will hardly ever use Keane on the right. He'll be played in behind as the link man between midfield and torres - like the Bergkamp/Zola role. Gerrard played that role excellently for Liverpool in the second half of last season and I must say I was surprised (but delighted) that Liverpool were interested in Keane.

But now Gerrard will be dropped back into midfield with Mascherano or else on the right with Alonso and mascherano in the middle (thats hoping they don't sign Barry who's inferior to all three).

I think Gerrard, Keane and Torres, when played in the above formation, will be a joy to watch.

**4tothefloor** · 30/07/2008, 3:24 PM

Liverpool don't play 2 up front, they play 3 behind the striker. Keane will be part of that attacking three. Gerrard will prob play on the right with license to roam ala Ronaldo. The role will suit him fine

Pennant will be the next out the door as now no longer needed.

---------------------------Reina----------------------------

Arbeloa-----------Skrtel------------Agger/Carragher-------Dossena

--------------Mascherano-----------Alonso/Barry-------------

--------Gerrard-------------Keane-----------------Babel-----

---------------------------Torres----------------------------

Not bad, bench is quite strong, and still another signing or 2 to come. Keane will be a starter, no doubt about that!

**youngirish** · 30/07/2008, 3:48 PM

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

Arashvin has burst onto the world scene in last seasons UEFA Cup and 2 good games in the Euros and he gets talked about as a superstar, hes 27 and only one year younger than Robbie, yet Robbie has been playing consistantly well for nearly 10 years now at club and international level.

Don't get all the hype about Arshavin he's been around for years and did nothing up until winning the UEFA cup last season (the Carling Cup of European football). He had two good games in the Euros and was absolute pants in the final one. To put things into perspective Gary Breen played a stormer in at least 3 of his 4 games in the WC in 2002. Any manager would be insane to buy Arshavin for the prices being touted.

The hype surrounding him baffles me to be honest. He must have a top PR relations team.

**lionelhutz** · 30/07/2008, 3:51 PM

Originally Posted by 4tothefloor

Liverpool don't play 2 up front, they play 3 behind the striker. Keane will be part of that attacking three. Gerrard will prob play on the right with license to roam ala Ronaldo. The role will suit him fine

Pennant will be the next out the door as now no longer needed.

---------------------------Reina----------------------------

Arbeloa-----------Skrtel------------Agger/Carragher-------Dossena

--------------Mascherano-----------Alonso/Barry-------------

--------Gerrard-------------Keane-----------------Babel-----

---------------------------Torres----------------------------

Not bad, bench is quite strong, and still another signing or 2 to come. Keane will be a starter, no doubt about that!

I'd agree with the above team. It's the most probable team Benitez will use in the big games.

I doubt that Carragher is in competition with Agger though - it's most likely Agger and Skrtel will be competing to partner Carragher. And I hope to God Barry doesn't sign.

It looks a very strong side - whether its strong enough to sustain a title challenge remains to be seen. Too many variables with Benitez at the helm.

**third policeman** · 30/07/2008, 4:26 PM

Arbeloa is apparently heading back to Spain for personal reasons. Degen is out for two months so unless Finnan is part of a potential Barry deal (which I think looks doubtful), there may be two Irish starters in Liverpool's first choice 11.

Dying to see Robbie tonight (will be flicking between LFC game and Drogs). Hope Liverpool play with a little more purpose than in their other pre-season jaunts.