Robbie Keane heads to Anfield in £20m deal

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The deal will cast further doubt over Rafael Benitez's ability to pay Aston Villa a similar figure for Gareth Barry. The England midfielder is set to return to first team action against Odense at Villa Park today in the InterToto Cup third round second leg for the first time since he demanded a move to Anfield.

On his way: Robbie Keane will be scoring no more for Spurs

The issue of having to choose between his two main transfer targets has been hanging over Benitez after he failed to raise extra money by negotiating the £16m sale of Xabi Alonso to Juventus or Inter Milan.

The Liverpool manager was absent from Melwood yesterday as European Championship winner Alonso returned to training seeking urgent talks over his future.

Benitez was believed to be busy finalising the Keane deal, which could rise to £20m if Liverpool win either the Premier League or Champions League during his time at Anfield. The Republic of Ireland striker, 28, will sign for his boyhood favourites more than a decade after turning down the chance to join Liverpool when he left Crumlin United in Dublin to start his career in England.

Keane chose Wolves because he felt he would have a better chance of first team football. He went on to play for Coventry, Inter Milan and Leeds before moving to White Hart Lane where he has become a crowd favourite over the last six years with his consistent goal record.

It became clear he would be leaving when Tottenham boss Juande Ramos did not even name him among the substitutes for Thursday night's friendly against Hercules in Spain.

He also refused to discuss the Keane situation afterwards. Benitez, however, is not giving up the chase for Barry - who was abused by angry Villa fans when he played for the reserves against Walsall in midweek - and still hopes to raise the money by selling players or persuading the club to release more funds.