Keane's Saga & Rafa

By: Gareth Freeman

I’m going to take a break from my usual match previews and football betting picks for this latest article because I think he whole Robbie Keane transfer has thrown up a few questions about the way things are done at Anfield.

Cast your mind back too last summer, was Robbie Keane Benitez’s top transfer target? Nope, he wanted Gareth Barry but was told the club didn’t want to shell out the money for him. Villa wanted somewhere round the £20million mark for Barry but the board wouldn’t match that. Despite this they were totally happy to pay £18.6million for Keane.

It seems blatantly obvious to me that Bentitez never really wanted Keane and was never impressed by him when he did play. I don’t blame Keane for this, I do in fact think he is a class player and very much capable of playing for a top-side. The Irish striker just didn’t fit into Rafa’s tactics and system and if a manager never wanted a player it can be hard to break in. Keane’s stay at Anfield reminds me a lot of Andrei Shevchenko’s stay at Chelsea, Jose Mourinho never wanted him and he was left on the sidelines.

Unlike Keane, Barry was a player Benitez really wanted and as the season progresses the more I wish he’d been allowed to bring him in. Barry would have been great in the midfield and would have allowed Gerrard the space to move forward into the striker’s role as often as possible throughout a match. A midfield of Barry and Mascherano or Alonso with Gerrard given more freedom to roam would have been an extremely effective combination but unfortunately for Benitez is never materialised.

Benitez has admitted it is a bit of a gamble letting one of his forwards go, without bringing in a replacement, with Liverpool still competing for honours in the league, Champions League and FA Cup. Without Torres the forward line does look a bit light-weight but then again the Reds managed to see of Manchester United and Chelsea without Torres or Steven Gerrard earlier in the season and there is no reason why that can’t happen again.

The soccer betting odds may now have Manchester United as firm favourites for the title but Liverpool are still up there and that win over Chelsea was a very much needed three points. If Liverpool fail to win anything this season I wouldn’t place the blame on Benitez and Keane’s transfer, I’ll be looking at the board and asking why Rafa wasn’t given the backing he needed at the start of the campaign.

Keane Ends Goal Drought

English Premiership

Liverpool 3 - 0 West Brom

Scorers:
LIV - Keane (34, 43min), Arbeloa (90min);

After the 12^th time asking, Liverpool’s big summer signing, Robbie Keane, finally broke the duck, scoring his first and second league goals in a home encounter with relegation fodder, West Brom. Alvaro Arbeloa added a third in the closing moments of the game.

It was 2 exquisite finishes from the Republic of Ireland striker, who had difficulty finding feet at Liverpool. After several fruitful seasons at North London, the Irish captain was purchased at high price by Liverpool.

Perhaps due to his costly price tag, he was pressurized to perform right from the beginning but the pressure, perhaps, was a little too hard to handle for him.

Also, many fans commented that he looked too eager to impress early on the in season where he was seen running around like a headless chicken. Claimed to be a boyhood Liverpool fan, he looked determined to play at his best donning the red jersey albeit trying a little too hard.

But just like Peter Crouch, it took him a little longer to adjust and hit second gear.

Will his career continue to flourish in months to come, like Crouch, is hard to tell. But as I’ve mentioned in my post, which heralded his arrival, was that he has the talent and ability to shine, as a proven goal-scorer in the Premiership with not only Spurs but also earlier in his career at Coventry, Wolves and Leeds.

The goal scoring instinct which seemed to be inborn within him seemed to be missing amidst his ‘running his heart out attitude’ until now. He was suddenly, in perfect understanding with the Liverpool players, such as Gerrard, who provided him with a precise through-ball for his opener.

He might have learned his lesson in the Atletico match where he missed a golden opportunity. Instead of trying to put the ball over the diving goalkeeper, he tried to round him but missed the opportunity.

This time round, he was put through by Steven Gerrard’s inch-perfect pass and he did not hesitate before dinking the ball past the despairing dive of Scott Carson. His movement was brilliant during the build-up of the goal, evading his marker and making room for himself.

It was a huge sigh of relief from both Keane and also the Kop faithful.

He then doubled his tally through a fantastic counter attack. West Brom’s corner was cleared and Liverpool caught the away side napping. A quick release from Albert Riera sent Robbie Keane through.

Scott Carson, the former Liverpool goalkeeper, charged out of his own box trying his best to intercept but was caught in no man’s land. It left Robbie Keane with a simplest of finish and the Reds were well on track to victory.

Though West Brom started brightly and looked like they were at Anfield for football, Liverpool always looked comfortable and in control. Chances from both sides were few and far between but it was Liverpool’s class that was apparent.

The long-awaited return of star striker, Fernando Torres, was another key highlight of the match. It didn’t take long for the Spanish hotshot to show his intent when his 25 yards strike stung the hands of Carson.

After missing for 6 games, Torres still looked pretty sharp and his pace was quite a problem for the WBA defence, especially Zuiverloon on the right.

Yet it was another Spaniard, Arbeloa, who stole the limelight when he found acres of space in the penalty area and curled home with a beautiful left foot shot.

Can’t jump on his back for celebration, eh?

It was overall, an easy game for Rafa Benitez and his men, eager to bounce back from that disappointing lost at White Hart Lane. Still, not all guns firing and blazing but a professional and controlled performance from Liverpool.

Best news is, Keane is back.

Keane Arrives At Merseyside

The last time I was so anxious in breaking in a transfer news was last year, this time, when our very own number 9 showed up at Melwood. He stood side by side with Rafa Benitez and he turned out to be one of the revelations of last season.

Obviously, Fernando Torres is his name and he did set the Premiership on fire last season with countless of brilliant goals.

His partnership with Steven Gerrard is undoubtedly one of the most potent in Europe last season, both of them working seamlessly on the pitch, helping out each other with assists.

But the dependence on the duo is apparent. Without any one of the these two components, Liverpool failed to break down stubborn defences and dropped some valuable points along the way.

Of course Rafa tried his best to solve the problem with his remaining strike force of Peter Crouch, Dirk Kuyt and Andriy Voronin. But other than Crouch, the remainder of them were not potent enough and struggled to provide goals for the team.

Now, with Crouch leaving for Portsmouth, Voronin's move to Germany imminent and Kuyt's transformation into a wing-forward complete, he knew he had to find a partner for Torres upfront, soon. He knew very well that this summer is the make or break one for him as the players he is investing are going to be the one which ultimately means he'll come even closer to his first Premiership crown, or a boot at the end of the season for yet another season of disappointments.

I see him now, being in the very same position with Gerard Houllier back in 2003. It is the situation where the team is almost complete but there is one or two players missing. It is like trying to fit a jigsaw puzzle, with chances of the last few pieces being the one that fits perfectly, or have the potential to fail spectacularly.

Obviously from history, we know that Houllier chose the wrong players and ended up with the latter circumstance. The rest of what happened should be discussed as little as possible.

Now, Rafa being in the same position, had to make the safest, yet the most dangerous gamble in his career at Anfield probably. The signing of Robbie Keane. The Irish arrived from Spurs yesterday after passing his medical and will don the number 7 of Liverpool.

Why would I say it's the safest, yet most dangerous gamble? It is obvious that this risk is very much down to the price of Robbie Keane himself, almost reaching 20 million pounds in total. He is after all, a 28 year old player with maybe 6 years max to his career span.

But I believe that above all, his Premiership stats speaks for itself and the number of goals he scored in the Premiership doesn't need to be justified. It most definitely speaks about the quality and consistency of the Irish striker, who seemed to have been playing football forever.

He had the chance to sign up for this very club he supported at 17 but rejected the Reds, stating that he'll be able to find first team football outside the Merseyside giants and indeed, he went on from Wolves to the prestigious Inter Milan, where he made waves in the Italian league before sealing a deal back in England with Tottenham.


Liverpool fans might have been wanting players like David Villa to add on to our ranks but I believe Rafa and many of us had the same idea. And that is to buy players with real quality (not doubting Villa) and someone who has ultimately, proven himself at the highest level as well as one who has already played in the Premiership.

Rafa Benitez definitely needs his players to be at their best right from the start of the season to truly mount a title challenge and he believe that Robbie Keane is just the man to support and add on to the already impressive firepower up front through Gerrard and Torres.

Also, having a leadership role in Tottenham means that he's matured and has the necessary mental toughness and qualities to play under Benitez. We know that the Spanish tactician isn't finding players who have boundless flair or limitless ability, but thinking players and footballers who can think for themselves.

I believe Keane fits the bill perfectly and will form a really fearsome partnership with Torres in the season to come. His experience and goal poaching ability will come in hand in hand with Torres' flamboyance and grace on the pitch.

Though the price is a little steep, it most definitely worth it, speaking through the eyes of faith in Rafa. One thing for sure and that is he improved the team and will most definitely make an impact in the league for the Reds.

Drogballs' Weekly Thoughts

Fowler Still 'The One'

His time at Liverpool might be up really soon after rumours of him joining up with Steve Nicol over in the United States but he showed us last Saturday that he still have something to offer. Two calmly taken penalty and a brilliant assist capped a good outing for Fowler, who always seemed to be on the score sheet no matter who he's playing and under what circumstances.

One can argue that it's just two penalties but the mental strength and courage to step up and slot it into the Kop End especially the second is commendable.


Spurs Finally Finds Form

The team from North London at long last, proved to us why they managed to occupy the 4th spot for such a long period of time last season after a 4-1 demolition of Bolton at White Hart Lane. The catalyst of the thrashing is without a doubt, Dimitar Berbatov, who was involved in all the goals and showed great touches and excellent understanding and team work with his team mates.

Spurs, meanwhile, learned their lesson after they're beaten by Sheffield United at Bramall Lane 2 weeks ago before going on with their current 3 games winning streak. Goals were scored while their back line looked like they're back to their normal standards. Even Paul Robinson looked good.

Robbie Keane scored two for them before getting sent off for a hand ball on the line. It was rather harsh to my liking but it's not without a bit of logic in the sending off. His instinctive reaction was to stopping the inevitable, which is ball in the back of the net but referee deemed it was an infringement. But it did little to stop Spurs from running away with the 3 goals lead.


Going Down, Going Down, GOING DOWN!

Although I've chosen this picture to suit the title, it doesn't tell the full story. West Ham United, once again got onto this part of the weekly thoughts post with yet another humiliating defeat at the hands of Charlton. Yes, you got that right. A relegation candidate losing to another relegation candidate and a match with so much hype going on about how it'll define the two team's season was all but over at half time.

Going 3 down at an aptly named, The Valley, Alan Curbishley and his men are certainly walking through the valley alone. It's a story of how a club crumbled and all the problems just snowballed inexplicably into one huge chunk and the time bomb is about to set off.

They got into to UEFA Cup this season and it sort of put the players off focus and also, off the ground as well. Players thought they're already made it big, player who had every desire to jump ship yet given the captain's armband and as well as the failure to integrate the Argentinian duo, it went all awry right at the start of the season.

Then when trouble sets in, everyone wants a quick way out. Get a millionaire in and money MIGHT just get you to safety. But how wrong was that. He sacked the then manager, Alan Pardew and handed it to Alan Curbishley, a man not known for his spending and relegation catfight skills.

He splashed on players freely and thinking that with those 'qualities', they're surely 'too good to go down'. But the sad fact is he failed to integrate the lot of them and does that line of words ring any bell? There is not such thing as 'too good to go down' and if the players continue their 'fine' form, they'll be down without a shadow of doubt.

How ironic is it that a former manager that was called a 'cancer' instigated a mauling over the clarets and blues so comprehensively.

Watford is already condemned in my opinion and with West Ham player's fighting spirit in tatters, I wouldn't be surprised the 'Academy of Football' is going down and the bubbles they're blowing might burst anytime.

Carling Cup Handbags

It was the incident which marred the otherwise exciting and intense cup final which saw Chelsea slightly edging past Arsenal with Drogba providing the ammunition. 2nd half substitute, Jon Obi Mikel slid in with a terrible tackle from behind and a full fledged handbags ensued.

It's disgusting yet amusing to see two groups of players running into each other, pushing and shoving, in a game played by 22 adults. Even old men like Wenger and Mourinho had to jump in to defuse the situation

In the end, Mikel was sent off along with captain, Toure while Emmanuel Adebayor was dragged off the pitch after shown the red. I didn't get to see the replay but I was adamant that Fabregas should have walked while Lampard shown a yellow as well.

Cesc Fabregas, however talented he might be, have been acting like a petulant kid at times and his cockiness gets into me sometimes. The referee failed to spot his raised arms on Lampard and we can only hear from the FA about their verdict of the incident. But why on earth did the Spanish wunderkid get involve in something that's not of his business? Why Lampard?

Perhaps, it's teenagers nowadays. Get into the big stage and already walking with his head tilted 45 degrees upwards. He might need a good few years before he can humble down and only then, I'll class him as a truly world class player.

However good you might be, a lack of class and character makes you look poor.