Liverpool FC's Robbie Keane _320
LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez has confirmed that under-fire striker Robbie Keane was dropped from his first team squad for yesterday’s derby at Anfield – but admitted that he had not spoken to the Irish international about the decision.
Despite producing a lively display in the first derby encounter of the season at Goodison Park, Keane was unable to replicate the form showed in Liverpool’s 2-0 success in September during Monday night’s Premier League game at Anfield and was hauled off by Benitez midway through the second half.
Although not carrying any injury, Keane was not even included among the substitutes for Liverpool’s 18-man squad yesterday with rookie French striker David Ngog preferred to the £20million recruit on the bench.
Benitez said: “I have just 18 players in the squad and I thought today was a time for another player. I didn’t see him after the list was put up but normally he would be disappointed because every player wants to play.”
Despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession, Liverpool failed to create many goalscoring opportunities and had to come from behind to earn a replay but Benitez was pleased with their display.
He said: “We’ve said before to play against a team that is just defend-ing it is not easy to find spaces. We did a lot of good things, positive things in terms of how we played and also the work rate, commitment and passion the players showed.
