Rafael Benitez is backing Robbie Keane to rediscover the luck in front of goal that his hard work deserves.
The Liverpool manager could be faced with a selection dilemma tomorrow if Fernando Torres declares himself fit for the Premier League visit of West Brom.
If Benitez welcomes Torres back into the fold following his hamstring injury, a decision to go with two central strikers is likely to see Keane retain his place.
The Irishman has not completed a full 90 minutes for the Reds since the 2-1 win over Manchester United on September 13, but he has featured in all 12 Liverpool games since, either being taken off or used as a substitute.
And his only two goals since his £20m summer move from Spurs have come in Champions League group games as he endures a frustrating wait to open his Premier League account.
However, Benitez feels Keane can’t be judged solely on goals and has no qualms about his contribution to the team.
“Robbie is working really hard,” said the Spaniard despite Keane’s removal for David Ngog 20 minutes from the end of the 1-1 Champions League draw with Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Tuesday.
“With strikers, people talk about goals but sometimes it depends on luck, positioning and good delivery.
“Sometimes you want to change things when you are creating chances, in the hope the other strikers can have a bit more luck.”
Torres’ return is yet to be confirmed as the forward continues to wait until he is fully fit before making his comeback.
The original prognosis of the hamstring injury he sustained playing for Spain last month was four games, but Torres has subsequently missed another two, the midweek meeting with former club Atletico and Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Tottenham.
And captain Steven Gerrard is in no doubt about how urgent the top scorer’s return to the side will be in light of the struggles of the past week.
He said: “Hopefully Fernando will be ready come the weekend, we have missed him. He has been training all week and things look hopeful.
“We need to take three points against West Brom, but last week has been our only defeat this season and we are more than happy with the way the season has gone.”
Meanwhile, Andrea Dossena has admitted that he needs to improve his game in order to pressurise Fabio Aurelio for the Liverpool left-back slot.
Aurelio’s time at Anfield has been plagued by injury but he has edged ahead in the race to be John Arne Riise’s long-term replacement since he came back into the side at the start of the season.
He played a key role in the 1-0 win at Chelsea two weeks ago but Dossena returned to the side last Saturday for the loss to Spurs before giving way to Aurelio again in midweek.
“I am not fully happy with my level,” said the £7m summer signing from Udinese. “With Fabio in my position the manager has the option of a player more in tune with the team right now.
“I am learning all the time. I knew coming to Liverpool and a new league would improve me as player and I knew that John Arne Riise was leaving and I would have the chance to play.
“But I also knew that in Fabio I had excellent competition for my position. It’s not a rivalry as such, it is merely friendly competition. He’s a great guy and a great player and having him here will help me.”
The Liverpool manager could be faced with a selection dilemma tomorrow if Fernando Torres declares himself fit for the Premier League visit of West Brom.
If Benitez welcomes Torres back into the fold following his hamstring injury, a decision to go with two central strikers is likely to see Keane retain his place.
The Irishman has not completed a full 90 minutes for the Reds since the 2-1 win over Manchester United on September 13, but he has featured in all 12 Liverpool games since, either being taken off or used as a substitute.
And his only two goals since his £20m summer move from Spurs have come in Champions League group games as he endures a frustrating wait to open his Premier League account.
However, Benitez feels Keane can’t be judged solely on goals and has no qualms about his contribution to the team.
“Robbie is working really hard,” said the Spaniard despite Keane’s removal for David Ngog 20 minutes from the end of the 1-1 Champions League draw with Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Tuesday.
“With strikers, people talk about goals but sometimes it depends on luck, positioning and good delivery.
“Sometimes you want to change things when you are creating chances, in the hope the other strikers can have a bit more luck.”
Torres’ return is yet to be confirmed as the forward continues to wait until he is fully fit before making his comeback.
The original prognosis of the hamstring injury he sustained playing for Spain last month was four games, but Torres has subsequently missed another two, the midweek meeting with former club Atletico and Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Tottenham.
And captain Steven Gerrard is in no doubt about how urgent the top scorer’s return to the side will be in light of the struggles of the past week.
He said: “Hopefully Fernando will be ready come the weekend, we have missed him. He has been training all week and things look hopeful.
“We need to take three points against West Brom, but last week has been our only defeat this season and we are more than happy with the way the season has gone.”
Meanwhile, Andrea Dossena has admitted that he needs to improve his game in order to pressurise Fabio Aurelio for the Liverpool left-back slot.
Aurelio’s time at Anfield has been plagued by injury but he has edged ahead in the race to be John Arne Riise’s long-term replacement since he came back into the side at the start of the season.
He played a key role in the 1-0 win at Chelsea two weeks ago but Dossena returned to the side last Saturday for the loss to Spurs before giving way to Aurelio again in midweek.
“I am not fully happy with my level,” said the £7m summer signing from Udinese. “With Fabio in my position the manager has the option of a player more in tune with the team right now.
“I am learning all the time. I knew coming to Liverpool and a new league would improve me as player and I knew that John Arne Riise was leaving and I would have the chance to play.
“But I also knew that in Fabio I had excellent competition for my position. It’s not a rivalry as such, it is merely friendly competition. He’s a great guy and a great player and having him here will help me.”
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