Robbie Keane will be spared further misery today, as Rafa Benitez finally begins to lose patience with the £20million striker.
The Ireland international has played in 22 of Liverpool's 24 matches this season, but has managed only two league goals, and has cut an increasingly isolated and desperate figure in recent weeks.
Liverpool boss Benitez has hauled Keane off in all but three of his matches, and now it seems he will go one step further by resting him for the visit to Blackburn.
That plan will no doubt increase what has been growing speculation around Merseyside that the Irishman could even be offloaded in the January transfer window if he doesn't start delivering. Benitez won't go that far, but he gave the front-runner a fairly blunt message that he wants him to stand up and be counted.
The 28-year-old will be consigned to the bench at Ewood Park today, DESPITE the injury to Fernando Torres, which is likely to keep the Spanish striker out until the New Year.
"There are six months of the season left so I can pick Robbie lots of times, but I cannot guarantee a position to anyone," he said. "We can talk about players costing £15-20m at other teams and they are on the bench every week, but people are not talking about them.
"We have two players in our squad of this value so people talk about them.
For me it is not a question of the price tag, he is just another player.
"I think Robbie's working hard, he has a good mentality and he has enough confidence in himself. After that we must decide about team selection as we have to pick the best players for each game."
Clearly, Benitez has been unimpressed with Liverpool's goals record in recent weeks, especially in the absence of Torres.
They have scored a paltry 13 goals in their last 11 matches, which is hardly title-winning form.
"Robbie has played 22 games out of 24, and has started 18 games," added the manager.
The Ireland international has played in 22 of Liverpool's 24 matches this season, but has managed only two league goals, and has cut an increasingly isolated and desperate figure in recent weeks.
Liverpool boss Benitez has hauled Keane off in all but three of his matches, and now it seems he will go one step further by resting him for the visit to Blackburn.
That plan will no doubt increase what has been growing speculation around Merseyside that the Irishman could even be offloaded in the January transfer window if he doesn't start delivering. Benitez won't go that far, but he gave the front-runner a fairly blunt message that he wants him to stand up and be counted.
The 28-year-old will be consigned to the bench at Ewood Park today, DESPITE the injury to Fernando Torres, which is likely to keep the Spanish striker out until the New Year.
"There are six months of the season left so I can pick Robbie lots of times, but I cannot guarantee a position to anyone," he said. "We can talk about players costing £15-20m at other teams and they are on the bench every week, but people are not talking about them.
"We have two players in our squad of this value so people talk about them.
For me it is not a question of the price tag, he is just another player.
"I think Robbie's working hard, he has a good mentality and he has enough confidence in himself. After that we must decide about team selection as we have to pick the best players for each game."
Clearly, Benitez has been unimpressed with Liverpool's goals record in recent weeks, especially in the absence of Torres.
They have scored a paltry 13 goals in their last 11 matches, which is hardly title-winning form.
"Robbie has played 22 games out of 24, and has started 18 games," added the manager.
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