Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Benitez Drops Keane Hint


Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has dropped a hint that he has received an approach for striker Robbie Keane.

The former Tottenham player has failed to live up to expectations since making a £20million move to Anfield in the summer and has been linked with a return to White Hart Lane.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has admitted that he is an admirer of the Republic of Ireland star, who is set to return to Liverpool's squad for Wednesday's trip to Wigan after being dropped for the FA Cup draw with Everton at the weekend.

Benitez dodged questions regarding Keane's future when asked on Tuesday, but the Reds boss has offered a clue that he has received an enquiry regarding the ex-Inter Milan and Leeds player.

The Spaniard said in The Daily Post: "We've had four or five approaches for players and the answer has been the same - 'no'.

"We want all our players. We don't want to sell. Robbie could be one of the ones we had an approach about, I won't say.

"Is Keane one? I'm not saying, you can guess yourselves.

"For me when you sign a player the main thing is not the price, the main thing is that they just keep working.

"Keane is back in the squad now, so we can stop talking about him and his future."

Speculation has also been rife that defender Daniel Agger could be leaving Liverpool as the Denmark international's contract negotiations drag on.

And Benitez has revealed that he has been holding talks with two players - possibly Keane and Agger - urging the duo to remain willing to help Liverpool's Premier League, UEFA Champions League and FA Cup challenge.

"I have been talking with two very important players recently, I made it very clear that we must focus only on games and think about how to win every single game," added the former Valencia boss.

"We have a fantastic opportunity, we can win three trophies and any one would be good for our fans and ourselves. We must try to be professional and concentrate only on games.

"The players are not affected by things off the field. When we talk it is about football, not about other problems

"The only way to change things is on the pitch, not just talking and talking and talking."

No comments: