Rafael Benitez admits Robbie Keane has yet to produce the form that prompted Liverpool to pay nearly £20million for his services.
But the Anfield manager is confident the under-fire striker can overcome his crisis in form.
Keane has struggled to make an impression at Anfield since his much-lauded summer arrival from Tottenham Hotspur.
He was substituted for the 15th time in 18 starts this season during Liverpool’s goalless draw at home to West Ham United on Monday night.
Keane momentarily held his head in his hands when it emerged he was to be substituted, the Republic of Ireland international replaced by young French striker David Ngog.
The forward has netted only four goals in 22 appearances, and completed 90 minutes on just three occasions.
And Benitez said: “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 okay, 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.”
Of Keane’s reaction to being substituted, Benitez added: “Robbie does get 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 okay.
“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.”
But the Anfield manager is confident the under-fire striker can overcome his crisis in form.
Keane has struggled to make an impression at Anfield since his much-lauded summer arrival from Tottenham Hotspur.
He was substituted for the 15th time in 18 starts this season during Liverpool’s goalless draw at home to West Ham United on Monday night.
Keane momentarily held his head in his hands when it emerged he was to be substituted, the Republic of Ireland international replaced by young French striker David Ngog.
The forward has netted only four goals in 22 appearances, and completed 90 minutes on just three occasions.
And Benitez said: “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 okay, 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.”
Of Keane’s reaction to being substituted, Benitez added: “Robbie does get 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 okay.
“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.”
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