Keane ready for long-awaited Liverpool debut as Rafa's Reds take on Villarreal

Liverpool have now had to spend close to £20million to sign the striker from Tottenham, when as a 14-year-old Keane declined the offer of schoolboy terms at Anfield to join Wolves instead.  

Keane makes his long-awaited debut for Liverpool in their friendly away to Villarreal tonight, and is also expected to play on Saturday away to Rangers.  

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Dream team: New recruit Keane (left) should link up with Torres against Villarreal

'Everyone knows I have supported Liverpool all my life, and I could have joined them as a schoolboy,' he said.  

'But I wanted first-team football much quicker than I would have got it at Anfield, and I was certainly proved right with the way my career developed at Wolves.'

Keane has now arrived at Anfield via Molineux, Coventry, Inter Milan, Leeds and Spurs, his combined fees now touching £60million.  

And Keane insists he is not worried by Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez's rotation policy, saying: 'I am not bothered by any of that. There is always competition for places in any top side. There was at Spurs and I expect the same here.  

'You must have a big squad and of course there is rotation. At Spurs in the last couple of seasons, Martin Jol did it, and so did Juande Ramos. It is nothing new for me.

'The manager does what he needs to do. I am here to do what he asks, I am not here for Robbie Keane, I am here to do a job for the team.'  

Now Keane, 28, aims to form a goalscoring partnership with Fernando Torres.  

'Torres has been a revelation since he arrived in the Premier League and I am looking forward to playing alongside him,' he said.  

'I had a great understanding and relationship with Dimitar (Berbatov) at Spurs, and hopefully I can do just the same with Torres.  

'This club has to challenge for the title, it is expected by the fans. And at this stage of my career I want to have that chance, and to win more trophies and medals.  

'This squad here can challenge for the Premier League, just look at the players the club already have. With a few more additions which I believe will come, Liverpool can go on to win the title.'  

Benitez has taken a strong squad to Spain, for a match against a club he clearly admires.  

He got to know the Villarreal set-up from his days at nearby Valencia, and tonight's match in Castellon sees Jose Reina return to the club he joined Liverpool from, this match being part of that transfer deal.  

Benitez said: 'Villarreal are a very good team, with several outstanding players. The game is a real test for us.  

'Their board is very good, the chairman fantastic as are the officials, secretary and manager. That is the reason they are in the Champions League, that is the reason they are up at the top of the league in Spain.  

'They are a good example to small clubs who want to be really big and progress.  

'They are a fantastic club and will remain so while their chairman is still there.'