LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez says he is pleased to see his players angry when they are substituted as it shows the winning mentality needed to end the club’s long title wait.

After enduring a frustrating afternoon on his own up front and missing a seemingly straightforward chance from point-blank range, Robbie Keane was withdrawn by Benitez less than an hour into the game at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.

Although Keane’s replacement Fernando Torres made an instant impact, setting up Steven Gerrard for Liverpool’s second goal, the Irish international striker did not look pleased to be taken out of the action so early.

Since his £20million move to Anfield in the summer Keane has made 20 appearances for the club but incredibly has only completed a full 90-minute game on two occasions and Saturday was the 14th time in 16 starts that he has been hauled off by Benitez.

However, the Spaniard insists he is encouraged by the former Tottenham man’s frustrations as it shows the character needed to compete at the top of the Premier League.

He said: “If we’re at the top of the table, players need to accept that I will change it if that’s what is best for the team. It is difficult, and Robbie is working very hard, but clearly it was a different type of football in the second half, more suited for Fernando.

“We know Robbie is a very, very good professional and he wants to play 90 minutes all the time, but players have to respect the decisions because we are doing what we think is best for the team. But a player has to be disappointed at coming off – that’s what I want to see.

“The response always has to be that you work even harder for the next game. It has to be like that in a winning team – you have to compete for the positions and that is a positive thing. Robbie knows the team will always be the important thing so I don’t need to speak to him about it (being substituted).”