ROBBIE KEANE edged nearer a move to Liverpool after he was left out by Tottenham Hotspur last night.

The Republic of Ireland international was not involved as Spurs took on Spanish side Hercules in a pre-season friendly.

Keane – who is not thought to have been carrying any injury – was not even named on the substitutes’ bench by Spurs manager Juande Ramos.

Strikers Dimitar Berbatov and Darren Bent, also linked with moves away from White Hart Lane, started the game.

Keane’s omission is a clear signal that Tottenham have accepted the 28-year-old’s future lies away from the club, with Liverpool confident that a deal can be brokered in the coming days.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has earmarked Keane as his main target to replace the departed Peter Crouch, who has joined Portsmouth.

Keane, a boyhood Liverpool fan, is desperate to complete the switch to Merseyside, with a transfer that could ultimately cost the Anfield outfit £20m thought to be under negotiation.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is prepared to report Liverpool to the authorities for their “disgraceful” conduct during the transfer saga.

However, Ramos hinted last week that the club were willing to sell Keane as part of a squad clear-out to help balance the books.