Why Liverpool never doubted Robbie Keane

Dec 26 2008

Liverpool assistant manager Sammy Lee insists the club have never had any doubts over the qualities of £20milliion striker Robbie Keane.

The Republic of Ireland international scored twice in the 3-0 destruction of Bolton today, adding to the stunning equaliser he netted at Arsenal last weekend.

Those goals have wiped away the doubts and criticism of the 28-year-old, who now has seven goals for the season.

After Albert Riera had put Liverpool on the way to victory, it was Keane’s clinical finishing which meant there was no doubt they would stay top of the Barclays Premier League.

Lee, still standing in for boss Rafael Benitez, who was in the directors’ box after recovering from a kidney stones operation, was full of praise for Keane.

He said: “Robbie Keane scored twice, that’s terrific, but I just like seeing any Liverpool player scoring goals.

“Keane, Kuyt, Hyypia, I don’t mind, just as long as they are Liverpool goals.

“We don’t feel that Robbie has been out of form, despite what people keep saying.

“He has been working hard, tirelessly for the team, and that is the measure of the lad that he has kept on going.

“People have said things about him, but we know why we brought him to the club and we have had no problems at all with him, whatsoever.

“I do not feel he has ever lacked confidence here, he has kept going and done well.

“We have had no doubts in Robbie’s ability or his work-rate, and what he adds to this club is immense.

“We know the quality of the boy, we know what he is capable of and what he is doing for us and what he adds to the club. There is no problem with him here.”