Soccer Globe

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has spoken of his disappointment at the performances of Robbie Keane after having to substitute him for the 15th time this season, during the Red’s draw against West Ham. Keane cost Liverpool £20.3million and it seems they are still waiting to reap the benefits of this fee. Although Benitez was diplomatic in his commentary, actions speak louder than words and taking a former Spurs goalscoring hero off of the pitch for inexperienced striker David Ngog no doubt shows the level of confidence in the Irish international’s skill is plummeting:

‘Robbie is a better player than the one we are seeing now.’

‘We know what kind of player Robbie Keane is. He needs people around him to pass the ball well.

‘I believe he will be OK, he will score more if we create chances for him. But if that does not happen we have to use players with different qualities to open up the game.

‘Robbie gets disappointed when things are not going his way. He is a worker, but he can improve.

‘It is a question of confidence. If we score first in this type of game then we will grow and win. Some players may be lacking in confidence, but if we keep creating chances we will be OK.

‘Robbie, when he came off, was disappointed. But players always want to be out on the pitch for 90 minutes, but we were thinking of different solutions and Ngog did well when he came on, holding the ball up.’

‘It could have been three more points and top of the league…Clearly we are frustrated, but we are one point clear of Chelsea, and that is positive.

Source: DailyMail