Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has urged Robbie Keane to work hard and become an important player for the club.
The striker was left out of the squad that drew with Everton on Sunday, sparking speculation over his future, but is set to face Wigan on Wednesday.
Benitez said: "Robbie is maybe not playing at his best level.
"But he wants to fight for his position. To do that he must work hard and then if we consider he can give us something then we will use him."
Keane, 28, has not hit his best form since his £20.3m move from Tottenham in July 2008, taking 11 games to score his first league goal for the club and notching only seven goals in all competitions.
And after the Republic of Ireland international was rested on Sunday, reports suggested his career at Anfield was in jeopardy.
Tottenham are believed to be interested in re-signing Keane, while Manchester City and Newcastle have also been linked with a move for the forward.
But Benitez has insisted that no-one will be leaving the club during the January transfer window.
"A lot of clubs have been asking about some players, to buy or loan, but we have said we do not need to lose anyone, we do not need to sell anyone now," stated the Spaniard.
"We do not want to lose players now if we cannot replace those players later. We need all of them for the race for the title."
Liverpool are second in the Premier League table, three points behind leaders Manchester United, and the Anfield outfit are also involved in the Champions League and the FA Cup, while their rivals from Old Trafford are also in both competitions - and the final of the Carling Cup.
Benitez made it clear he will need to call on all his resources if his side are to maintain a challenge for all three trophies, while also suggesting that players must accept the need for rotation.
He added: "We have a lot of games to play in the coming weeks, in the league, Cup and Europe.
"We will need everyone. People may not always play but two weeks later we may have an injury and then we need them.
"Everyone, including Robbie, is training well. He has experience and hopefully he will be an important player for us.
"When Fernando Torres was injured, Robbie was working hard and doing well. If he can continue to do this we will not have any doubts over his quality.
"People are talking too much about Keane. It was just one decision about one player, he wasn't in the squad.
"He is expensive and high profile, yes, but Manchester United have bought plenty of players who cost £20m or more every single year. Sometimes more than one player but nothing is said about them being left out.
"If you want to be in a top side then you must have this mentality. You have to accept that some players will play and some will not.
"Robbie will be in the squad to face Wigan and if he can score goals then I will be happy."
The striker was left out of the squad that drew with Everton on Sunday, sparking speculation over his future, but is set to face Wigan on Wednesday.
Benitez said: "Robbie is maybe not playing at his best level.
"But he wants to fight for his position. To do that he must work hard and then if we consider he can give us something then we will use him."
Keane, 28, has not hit his best form since his £20.3m move from Tottenham in July 2008, taking 11 games to score his first league goal for the club and notching only seven goals in all competitions.
And after the Republic of Ireland international was rested on Sunday, reports suggested his career at Anfield was in jeopardy.
Tottenham are believed to be interested in re-signing Keane, while Manchester City and Newcastle have also been linked with a move for the forward.
But Benitez has insisted that no-one will be leaving the club during the January transfer window.
"A lot of clubs have been asking about some players, to buy or loan, but we have said we do not need to lose anyone, we do not need to sell anyone now," stated the Spaniard.
"We do not want to lose players now if we cannot replace those players later. We need all of them for the race for the title."
Liverpool are second in the Premier League table, three points behind leaders Manchester United, and the Anfield outfit are also involved in the Champions League and the FA Cup, while their rivals from Old Trafford are also in both competitions - and the final of the Carling Cup.
Benitez made it clear he will need to call on all his resources if his side are to maintain a challenge for all three trophies, while also suggesting that players must accept the need for rotation.
He added: "We have a lot of games to play in the coming weeks, in the league, Cup and Europe.
"We will need everyone. People may not always play but two weeks later we may have an injury and then we need them.
"Everyone, including Robbie, is training well. He has experience and hopefully he will be an important player for us.
"When Fernando Torres was injured, Robbie was working hard and doing well. If he can continue to do this we will not have any doubts over his quality.
"People are talking too much about Keane. It was just one decision about one player, he wasn't in the squad.
"He is expensive and high profile, yes, but Manchester United have bought plenty of players who cost £20m or more every single year. Sometimes more than one player but nothing is said about them being left out.
"If you want to be in a top side then you must have this mentality. You have to accept that some players will play and some will not.
"Robbie will be in the squad to face Wigan and if he can score goals then I will be happy."
No comments:
Post a Comment