Robbie Keane’s three fine goals in the last two Liverpool games have swept away the doubts over the Irishman’s qualities.
But the 28-year-old will step out at Newcastle tomorrow aware that Fernando Torres is hovering in the wings.
Torres, who wore all-white furs, hat and scarf in the Anfield directors’ box on Boxing Day to watch the Keane-inspired 3-0 demolition of Bolton, is not far from his comeback from a hamstring injury.
He could even be involved at St James’ Park and, when the Spaniard does return to Liverpool’s title chase, Keane’s problems could start all over again.
Fitting into a system with Torres up front and Keane in a deeper, support role, caused the Irishman immense difficulties earlier in the campaign.
His equaliser at Arsenal and two fine strikes to sink Bolton, have come with Keane in the roving, lone striking role he loves. And that is the position Torres will take up when he is fit again.
For now, Keane is just happy to have started to score regularly, but the fact that only one of his seven this season have come while Torres has been on the pitch, suggests a problem for boss Rafael Benitez when he returns to the dug-out after his kidney stones operation.
That too could be later today on Tyneside, the manager having also watched from the directors’ box on Boxing Day.
Keane diplomatically says: “I enjoyed the position I played against Bolton, up front on my own. That’s my best position and where I have played for the last 10 years, I enjoy it.
“But wherever the boss wants me to play, I will do it for the team, that’s the most important thing.”
Keane at last looked comfortable and confident in his role as Bolton were swept aside, Albert Riera grabbing the first with Keane’s double coming in four blistering second-half minutes.
He said: “I have always said that I know I will score goals, for me it has not been a problem.
“But it was good to see my first one go in. But even before that we had not been playing badly, we’d had them under a lot of pressure.”
Liverpool go into the Newcastle game top at this stage for the first time since 1996, and with a growing belief in their play.
Assistant boss Sammy Lee said: “It is good to still be top, and we hope to still be there going into the new year.
“It will be tough against Newcastle, a very difficult task, but on this form we are looking forward to it.
“What was pleasing was the quality of our play, and the patience we showed in possession.
“Robbie Keane scored twice, that’s terrific, but I just like seeing any Liverpool player scoring goals.”
But he warned: “It is only December, nobody should be getting carried away. But being top of the table shows the improvement this season.
“The players have never lacked belief, and we could hear the fans signing about being top, but there is still a long way to go.
“We have got 42 points from 19 games, it is still only half-way, and we must just keep working to get the maximum from every game.
“But the boys are enjoying their football, the desire and commitment has always been there, and we aim to keep it going.”
But the 28-year-old will step out at Newcastle tomorrow aware that Fernando Torres is hovering in the wings.
Torres, who wore all-white furs, hat and scarf in the Anfield directors’ box on Boxing Day to watch the Keane-inspired 3-0 demolition of Bolton, is not far from his comeback from a hamstring injury.
He could even be involved at St James’ Park and, when the Spaniard does return to Liverpool’s title chase, Keane’s problems could start all over again.
Fitting into a system with Torres up front and Keane in a deeper, support role, caused the Irishman immense difficulties earlier in the campaign.
His equaliser at Arsenal and two fine strikes to sink Bolton, have come with Keane in the roving, lone striking role he loves. And that is the position Torres will take up when he is fit again.
For now, Keane is just happy to have started to score regularly, but the fact that only one of his seven this season have come while Torres has been on the pitch, suggests a problem for boss Rafael Benitez when he returns to the dug-out after his kidney stones operation.
That too could be later today on Tyneside, the manager having also watched from the directors’ box on Boxing Day.
Keane diplomatically says: “I enjoyed the position I played against Bolton, up front on my own. That’s my best position and where I have played for the last 10 years, I enjoy it.
“But wherever the boss wants me to play, I will do it for the team, that’s the most important thing.”
Keane at last looked comfortable and confident in his role as Bolton were swept aside, Albert Riera grabbing the first with Keane’s double coming in four blistering second-half minutes.
He said: “I have always said that I know I will score goals, for me it has not been a problem.
“But it was good to see my first one go in. But even before that we had not been playing badly, we’d had them under a lot of pressure.”
Liverpool go into the Newcastle game top at this stage for the first time since 1996, and with a growing belief in their play.
Assistant boss Sammy Lee said: “It is good to still be top, and we hope to still be there going into the new year.
“It will be tough against Newcastle, a very difficult task, but on this form we are looking forward to it.
“What was pleasing was the quality of our play, and the patience we showed in possession.
“Robbie Keane scored twice, that’s terrific, but I just like seeing any Liverpool player scoring goals.”
But he warned: “It is only December, nobody should be getting carried away. But being top of the table shows the improvement this season.
“The players have never lacked belief, and we could hear the fans signing about being top, but there is still a long way to go.
“We have got 42 points from 19 games, it is still only half-way, and we must just keep working to get the maximum from every game.
“But the boys are enjoying their football, the desire and commitment has always been there, and we aim to keep it going.”
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