Keane frustrated by outsider claims

Last week there was considerable confusion about a supposed conversation at a social function between former Liverpool star Mark Lawrenson and current captain Steven Gerrard over Keane's future. Lawrenson initially suggested there was a belief that Keane could be sold in the January transfer window. Gerrard and Liverpool officially counter-acted that interpretation of the discussion.

Lawrenson pointedly later claimed that it was his own personal view, and not Gerrard's, but the damage had been done and Keane has since told liverpoolfc.tv: "I suppose the only thing is that I sometimes get frustrated by when people outside the football club are talking about things to do with me, because they are trying to create something that is not there."

He added: "I have already said that I know I will score goals for this club and I would prefer to be judged at the end of this season, not in December."

Keane's goal against Arsenal in the 1-1 draw on Sunday was his fifth for the club in all competitions, and it cancelled out Robin van Persie's opener for the Gunners.

The goal was sweet for the former Tottenham man who had come in for plenty of abuse from the Gunners fans before his goal.

He said: "For me, it is always nice to score against Arsenal especially as I had been getting a little bit of stick before the goal.

"I suppose that was always going to happen with me being a former Tottenham player so it was sweet for me to score against them.

"But it's always nice to score a goal, particularly when it means you get back into the game."