Rafa Benitez backs Robbie Keane for pivotal role at Liverpool FC

Jan 27 2009

Rafa Benitez with Robbie Keane at Melwood _320

Robbie Keane’s immediate future is at Liverpool as the Anfield club continue their stuttering chase for three major honours.

But when Keane returns to the squad at Wigan tomorrow for a crucial Barclays Premier League clash, he knows he must start to prove that his stay with the Reds can last for more than just the next few months.

The £20million Irish striker has been the subject of transfer speculation ever since boss Rafael Benitez left him out of the 18-man squad for Sunday’s FA Cup fourth-round draw with Everton.

Tottenham, Manchester City, Newcastle and even Everton have been linked with the 28-year-old who has struggled to hold down a first-team place since moving from Spurs last summer.

Benitez significantly stopped short of saying that Keane was not for sale today when he revealed that after two days of "excellent" training, the striker was back in the squad for the JJB Stadium.

The nagging feeling remains, however, that if Benitez could get his money back on Keane and buy a replacement, then the Republic of Ireland captain would be on the market.

But with the transfer window closing next Monday and Benitez not interested in any player-plus-cash offer from Spurs - which would take into account the money the Merseysiders still owe for the player - Keane looks certain to stay at the club until the end of the season.

Benitez said: "Everyone is now important for us. We have a lot of games to play in the coming weeks, in the league, cup and Europe.

"We will need everyone. People may not always play but two weeks later we may have an injury and then we need them.

"Everyone, including Robbie, is training well. He has experience and hopefully he will be an important player for us.

"When Fernando Torres was injured, Robbie was working hard and doing well. If he can continue to do this we will not have any doubts over his quality."