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Benitez backs Robbie Keane to come through form crisis despite subbing him 15 times
2 Dec 2008
Rafael Benitez insists misfiring striker Robbie Keane will overcome his current crisis in form, even though the Liverpool boss has substituted him 15 times already this season.
The £20million summer signing from Tottenham saw his number flash up again midway through the second half of the goalless draw to West Ham last night.
Keane looked a frustrated figure as he trudged off the Anfield pitch, to be replaced by rookie French striker David Ngog as Liverpool were battling to break down a determined West Ham rearguard.
His latest withdrawal from the fray by Benitez brought to a head an increasingly worrying situation for the Irishman.
Benitez said: "Robbie is a better player than the one we are seeing now."
Keane has managed just four goals this term, and only completed 90 minutes on three occasions in 22 appearances.
He has come on as a substitute four times and been substituted 15 times.
Those statistics underline the problem for Benitez, with Keane struggling for form and confidence.
Benitez said: "We know what kind of player Robbie Keane is. He needs people around him to pass the ball well.
"I believe he will be okay, he will score more if we create chances for him.
"But if that does not happen we have to use players with different qualities to open up the game.
"Robbie does get disappointed when things are not going his way. He is a worker, but he can improve.
"It is a question of confidence. If we score first in this type of game then we will grow and win. Some players may be lacking in confidence, but if we keep creating chances we will be okay.
"Robbie, when he came off, was disappointed. But players always want to be out on the pitch for 90 minutes, but we were thinking of different solutions and Ngog did well when he came on, holding the ball up."
Benitez did his best to remain upbeat, but he knew only too well that two more points had been squandered from a winnable home game, just like Liverpool did against Stoke and Fulham.
He said: "It could have been three more points and top of the league. Clearly we are frustrated, but we are one point clear of Chelsea, and that is positive.
Reader views (2)
Keane is a great player but not world class. I agree with Adrian he should have stayed at spurs. He wouldnt get into Chelsea or Man Utd team, too many better players than him and this is the same for Liverpool. He was the main man at tottenham, shouldnt have left.
- Paul, London, 02/12/2008 17:47
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This is a typical player making a decision with his head and not heart!
Keano, you should of stayed at Spurs, mate!
The team was built around you! Liverpool built around Gerrard....
Bent has scored more than Keane and Berba combined..
- Adrian, London, 02/12/2008 17:22
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