Robbie Keane today revealed he was looking forward to working with a manager “who believes in his players” after ending his nightmare spell at Liverpool.

The striker will captain Tottenham against Arsenal on Sunday after Reds boss Rafael Benitez allowed him to rejoin his former club just six months after signing him for £20.3million.

And while Keane stopped short of criticising Benitez directly, he made it clear he never felt wanted at Anfield and praised his new boss Harry Redknapp.

“I've rejoined a fantastic club, with a fantastic manager who believes in his players,” said the Irishman. “I am looking forward to having a good relationship with Harry. Sometimes if a manager doesn't fancy you, it's as simple as that. It is never easy when you are in and out of the team, especially as a striker.

“It was difficult to take. I love playing, and I didn't play as often as I would have liked. To be left out of squads was really tough, because it hadn't happened since I was 17.

“If I was a bad egg, I could have understood it. But if you ask anyone at Liverpool, including the manager, they will say I trained as hard as I could every day. Sometimes, the grass is not always greener on the other side. It is great to be back here and it feels like I have never been away.”

Redknapp has made the 28‑year‑old his new team captain, although Ledley King, who is likely to miss the derby with a hamstring problem, retains the club captaincy.

Keane has urged his team-mates to take responsibility for saving the club from relegation.

“It is okay having a strong squad, but we are in a bad position, and it is up to us to get ourselves out of it,” he said.

Redknapp believes six more victories will see Spurs, who have 24 points, survive in the top flight, and he expects Keane to be his lieutenant on the pitch.

The manager said: “I am looking forward to having a good relationship with Robbie and discussing any problems we might have. He will be a massive influence for us.”

Carlo Cudicini, another January arrival, is set to face Arsenal having started the last two games.
But Heurelho Gomes has warned the former Chelsea goalkeeper he is stillthe club's No1.

He said: “Everybody spoke to me about the signing of Carlo Cudicini but Tony Parks, the goalkeeping coach, said to me: You are still the No1 of Tottenham'.