Opinion: Rafa Benitez Doesn't Deserve A New Liverpool Contract Yet

Liverpool are joint top of the Premier League but I fear that the opening of new contract talks with manager Rafa Benitez is a big mistake.

Spaniard Benitez, 48, has guided my old team to the summit in a bid to end an 18- year title drought but the Liverpool board should wait until the end of the season to negotiate a new deal.

The club won nothing last season, which was totally unacceptable. And Benitez has yet to prove he can satisfy the club's huge craving for a Premier League crown.

Liverpool have finished fifth, third, third and fourth under Benitez, who has 18 months left on his existing contract.

And with 26 games left this term, the Anfield club could easily end up 11 points off the pace again, just like last season.

Premier League success is the benchmark at Liverpool but it's only now that Benitez seems to be appreciating that fact after being preoccupied with the Champions League for so long.

Anfield fans are usually very loyal to their managers but if the board gives Benitez a new four year deal now, only for Liverpool's challenge to peter out, then what?

As someone who wants to see Liverpool triumph in the Premier League in the near future, all I care about is winning, not who is at the helm.

I'd put Benitez on probation until the end of the campaign - then tell him: "Deal or no deal."

Gap Won't Cause Rafa To Gloat

Rafael Benitez has warned Liverpool fans about gloating too soon over the Anfield side's eight-point lead over champions Manchester United.

For many Anfield fans, such an advantage over their greatest rivals with the season almost a third over, is cause for celebration.

But boss Benitez said: "I don't think I will be celebrating until the gap is 20 points."

The end product of a weekend of frantic action at the top of the Premier League is that Manchester United sit eight points behind leaders Chelsea and second-placed Liverpool - who have a whopping 14-goal difference deficit to make up on the west Londoners.

Both clubs are on 29 points, with United's defeat away to Arsenal leaving them in fourth spot.

Benitez said: "We were aware before we played West Brom on Saturday that Manchester United had lost, but it was not something that we allowed to affect how we played.

"If you spend the whole time with a calculator considering what others are doing, it will drive you crazy.

"You must concentrate on what you are doing. United may be trailing us, but we are not looking at what they are doing, only ourselves."

Liverpool were top after the 3-0 win over West Brom for just 24 hours before Chelsea regained the leadership after a 2-0 win at Blackburn.

Benitez, who welcomed back striker Fernando Torres after a hamstring injury, said: "Manchester United still have a game in hand and the ability to make up points in just two other games is not that difficult for them.

"When the gap is 20 points, then I will relax. But with just this small difference all I can say is we must keep going all the time and not think about what other teams are doing."

He added: "We have confidence and are playing well, so we know we can be up there at the top. We know it is a long race and must keep going.

"It is still too soon to be thinking in those terms about other teams. There are too many games, in league and cups, and many things can happen.

"But things are very positive. We were top before and we wanted to be top again. The win over West Brom put us back up at the top and we must continue to put pressure on our rivals.

"We are playing well, scoring goals, but it could be better even though we are pleased."

Benitez is expected to rest several senior men for Wednesday's Carling Cup trip to face revitalised Spurs at White Hart Lane.

It seems certain that skipper Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt, Javier Mascherano and keeper Jose Reina will be rested.

Diego Cavalieri, Jermaine Pennant, Lucas, Nabil El Zhar, Andrea Dossena, Ryan Babel, David Ngog and Sami Hyypia are expected to figure in north London.

Benitez will make a late decision on whether Torres continues his comeback with a place in the starting line-up against Harry Redknapp's men.

Benitez said: "He needs games, but we will assess the situation only after a couple more training sessions."

But it is clear that Benitez is keen to re-form the partnership between Torres and Robbie Keane, who scored his first league goals for the club in the win over West Brom.

Whether Keane will be involved from the start against his former club is also debatable, with Babel and Ngog likely to figure up front.

But Benitez said: "It was good to see Keane scoring, and then to have Torres back on the pitch.

"The understanding will be good again, and if they both continue to work hard they will be very dangerous for any opponent."

Rafael Benitez Warns Manchester United Are Still A Threat

Rafael Benitez has warned Liverpool supporters not to get carried away by the club's impressive start to the season or their eight point gap over Manchester United.

The Liverpool manager struck a note of caution after their 3-0 victory over West Bromich Albion took them well clear of the champions who lost 2-1 to Arsenal. However, Benitez says United, who have a game in hand, are far from out of the title race.

"When the gap is 20 points, then I will relax," he said. "But with just this small difference all I can say is we must keep going all the time and not think about what other teams are doing.

"We were aware before we played West Brom on Saturday that Manchester United had lost, but it was not something that we allowed to effect how we played.

"If you spend the whole time with a calculator considering what others are doing, it will drive you crazy. You must concentrate on what you are doing. United may be trailing us, but we are not looking at what they are doing, only ourselves."

Benitez, who welcomed back striker Fernando Torres after a hamstring injury, added. "Manchester United still have a game in hand and the ability to make up points in just two other games is not that difficult for them.

"But with just this small difference all I can say is we must keep going all the time and not think about what other teams are doing."

He added: "We have confidence and are playing well, so we know we can be up there at the top. We know it is a long race and must keep going.

"It is still too soon to be thinking in those terms about other teams. There are too many games, in league and cups, and many things can happen. But things are very positive. We were top before and we wanted to be top again. The win over West Brom put us back up at the top and we must continue to put pressure on our rivals.

"We are playing well, scoring goals, but it could be better even though we are pleased."

Benitez is expected to rest several big name players for Wednesday's Carling Cup trip to face revitalised Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. It seems certain that skipper Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt, Javier Mascherano and keeper Jose Reina will be rested.

Diego Cavalieri, Jermaine Pennant, Lucas, Nabil El Zhar, Andrea Dossena, Ryan Babel, David Ngog and Sami Hyypia are expected to figure in north London.

Benitez will make a late decision on whether Torres continues his comeback with a place in the starting line-up against Harry Redknapp's men.

"He needs games, but we will assess the situation only after a couple more training sessions," Benitez said.

Rafa: A Goal-Scoring Run Beckons For Keane

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez believes that now Robbie Keane has opened his Premier League account, he can go on a goal-scoring run.

Liverpool's 3-0 weekend win over West Bromwich Albion was significant not only because it took the Reds to the top of the table, albeit only for 24 hours, but also because summer signing Robbie Keane opened his Premier League account for his new club.

Keane bagged a first-half brace, and boss Rafa Benitez now feels the floodgates will open for his Republic of Ireland international, enabling him to start justifying his £20 million price tag.

"Robbie was working hard and has been playing well but it is massively important for a striker to score, so it’s both good news for him and for us," Benitez told the Liverpool Daily Post.

"I think you’ll see him get a lot more now. If the team keeps playing well and creating chances there is no reason why he won’t get a lot more. It was just a question of time.

"You could see the difference in Keane as soon as he scored the first goal. It made a massive difference to him," he said.

"I remember talking about Peter Crouch when he first arrived and we were waiting for his first goal. Once he got off the mark, a lot more came and it will be the same with Robbie.

"I spoke to Robbie before the game, he was under pressure to score but I told him that he had to stay calm because he has been playing well for the team.

"He told me that he was fine, that he had no problems, but you know a striker is always thinking about scoring goals and so it was very important for him to get his first in the league for us," he added.

"Hopefully we will see him scoring a lot more every week now. I wanted to reassure him because it has been difficult for him."

A Carling Cup clash against his former club Tottenham Hotspur is next for Keane and Liverpool, before Premier League business resumes on Saturday as the Reds introduce the weekend fixtures with a Saturday lunchtime kick-off against Greater Manchester side Bolton Wanderers.

Aston Villa’s Barry & Liverpool’s Alonso Long-Term Future In Doubt?

Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry and Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso are back in news with regards to their long-term futures.

England international Barry was keen to move to Anfield in the summer, but the Reds did not meet the asking price reported to be around £18m and the midfielder stayed back at Martin O’Neill’s side.

Latest reports claim that the 27-year-old may buy out his contract on the lines of Webster ruling, to fulfil his dream of playing Champions League football with the Reds and Arsenal having showed interest in the summer.

“I really do not know enough about the Webster situation,” said Villa boss O’Neill. “I don’t know where we stand politically in all that. All I do know is that if he doesn’t sign his contract, he has one year definitely left to run by the time we get to next June or July time.”

On Reds midfielder Alonso, who looked set to leave the Merseysiders in close season but boss Rafa Benitez did not get the offer of £16m that he was looking for; reports in Italy claim that Juventus are still interested in the Spain international.

The Serie A giants had been put off by the asking price in the summer, but are said to be hoping that they may get the 26-year-old for a lesser fee.

Gerrard Rested For Spurs Tie

Steven Gerrard will miss Liverpool's Carling Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane tomorrow night after Rafael Benítez confirmed that his captain needs to be spared for the club's pursuit of the title.

The Liverpool midfielder has appeared in every Premier League and Champions League game for his club when fit this season, missing only the goalless draw at Aston Villa due to a groin problem that hindered his pre-season programme, but will head a cast of senior players Benítez is expected to leave out of the fourth-round contest.

"Stevie needs a bit of rest," said the Liverpool manager, who has to decide whether to field Fernando Torres against Spurs following his return from a hamstring injury. "He was injured during the international break and it is important to try and keep players fit all the time."

Benítez has also insisted Liverpool's eight-point advantage over Manchester United with a third of the title race gone is not a cause for premature celebration. The Spaniard said: "I don't think I will be celebrating until the gap is 20 points. If you spend the whole time with a calculator considering what others are doing, it will drive you crazy. You must concentrate on what you are doing. United still have a game in hand and the ability to make up points in just two other games is not that difficult for them."

He added: "We have confidence and are playing well, so we know we can be up there at the top. We know it is a long race and must keep going. It is still too soon to be thinking in those terms about other teams. There are too many games, in league and cups, and many things can happen.

"But things are very positive. We were top before and we wanted to be top again. The win over West Brom put us back up at the top and we must continue to put pressure on our rivals. We are playing well, scoring goals, but it could be better even though we are pleased."

Liverpool Midfielder Mascherano Agrees To Become Maradona's New Captain

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has agreed to captain Argentina under new coach Diego Maradona.

The 24-year-old initially told Maradona he was unsure about taking on the responsibility of leading his country but was persuaded after the Argentina legend visited him last week.

'I've convinced him,' Maradona told Argentinian press after returning from his six-day trip to Europe, during which he visited a number of his top players, including Manchester United's Carlos Tevez and Barcelona's Lionel Messi.

'I explained to him what I thought about him and told him what I thought he could give the team,' the former Napoli and Barcelona star added.

Mascherano's first game as captain will most likely be against Scotland next Wednesday at Hampden Park.

The Liverpool midfielder has always matured earlier than expected on the international stage, making his debut for the national team before he had even played a game at club level.

Rafa Still Sees Improvement

Rafael Benitez has warned Liverpool's Premier League title rivals that his star players will only improve as the season gathers pace.

The Reds are only separated from first-placed Chelsea by goal difference after a 3-0 victory over West Brom on Saturday.

Robbie Keane netted a brace in the Anfield win, his first league goals of the campaign, while star striker Fernando Torres made his return from injury.

And Benitez believes that the best is yet to come from his attacking duo, while the Spaniard also insists captain Steven Gerrard has more to offer.

"Gerrard can improve, Torres will improve with fitness, Daniel Agger and Javier Mascherano can all improve," Benitez said in the Daily Express.

"Keane's goals were important and you will see him score a lot more now."

Robbie Keane: I Never Doubted Myself

The Liverpool striker has revealed he was never worried despite taking 12 games to open his Premier League account for his new club.

The £20 million striker grabbed his first league goals for Liverpool in their 3-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion yesterday.

However, according to football365.com, Keane claims he always knew the goals would come.

“The manager always had confidence in me, and I always knew the goals would come,” said the former Spurs man, “It has taken me longer than I had hoped, but with every game I am getting more confident. The evidence was there for everyone to see.”

Keane was denied a hat-trick after being substituted in the second half but admitted being taken off had not been a problem.

“I was looking for the hat-trick, but it is not about me. I'd got two goals and would always like more, but seeing the board go up with my number was not an issue for me,” said the striker, “People are trying to make a big deal out of it, which is not the case. Things like that do not matter - because this is a team.”

The result propelled Liverpool back to the summit of the Premier League and Keane claims that the win was most important that his goals. He said: “The most important thing was that we keep winning, and that I am part of that winning side.”

Despite scoring two goals yesterday, Keane was quick to pay tribute to his team mates, whom he praised for their excellent service, in particular skipper Steven Gerrard.

“I am getting great service. I have Stevie, Xabi (Alonso) and (Javier) Mascherano behind me - and they can all see a pass for me,” admitted Keane.

He continued, “Stevie's pass was excellent. But over the years he has been fantastic, and it is something I have noticed. Now I am on the end of those passes, which is fantastic for me.”

After netting his first league goals for his new side Keane appears confident the goals will continue to flow. He concluded: “My aim is to keep doing my job, and I know the goals will happen.”

Rafael Benitez Still Ready To Rotate As Robbie Keane Keeps Liverpool The Charge

It is still a strange feeling for those at Anfield to genuinely still be 'in amongst it' even in November but Benitez demonstrated in the victory over West Bromwich Albion that he is unlikely to change his ways despite these heady times.

Firstly Robbie Keane was the player he chose to withdraw when he wanted to bring on Fernando Torres with just under 20 minutes remaining. That Keane, who has now been substituted 13 times and has completed just two games this season, had scored his first two Premier League goals and was enjoying his best display since arriving from Tottenham in a £20.3 million deal in the summer was considered an irrelevance.

The Spaniard bristles at the word "rotation", insisting that when other top managers do what he does, it is simply termed "making changes" but that will not dissuade him from resting Gerrard, who underwent surgery on a groin problem in August, in the coming weeks.

Such stubbornness is likely to serve Benitez well when he opens contract negotiations this week and he said: "I think Gerrard's level will improve with Torres available. It is clear that Stevie is a bit tired at the moment, but with Torres he will have another player that can benefit from the accuracy of his passing.

"I think Gerrard can improve, Torres will improve with fitness, and Fabio Aurelio, Daniel Agger and Javier Mascherano can all improve. We are in a very good position and we have enough quality in the squad to be there for a long time. Stevie needs a bit of rest. He was injured during the international break and it is important to try and keep players fit all the time."

Playing two in attack was seen as the antidote to the issues Liverpool have had at times at Anfield, where they have been held by Stoke and Atletico Madrid and have had to come from behind against Middlesbrough, Manchester United and Wigan this season, but teams rarely come to Anfield in a mood like the positive frame of mind adopted by Tony Mowbray's West Brom.

Actual chances were a rarity but in the opening half an hour they enjoyed long spells of possession in the Liverpool half, with Keane passing up the best early opportunity when he failed to make a decent contact with a shot after Mascherano won the ball on the edge of the area.

But just after the half-hour, Keane put Liverpool in front with a trademark bending run on the 18-yard line. Aurelio found Gerrard, who spotted Keane's clever movement that gave the Irishman a couple of yards of space in front of Jonas Olsson and he lifted over Scott Carson to open the scoring.

Just before half-time, Keane again benefited from a defensive lapse as Olsson played him onside as he chased Aurelio's long ball down the left flank. Keane's first touch took him around Carson and he slipped the ball into an empty net.

West Brom continued to press but their best opportunities were hopeful efforts from Robert Koren before Alvaro Arbeloa's second Liverpool goal, a curling shot in added time, completed the scoring.

With 10 goals and 11 points from West Brom's opening 12 games, Mowbray acknowledges that a failure to make the most of spells of dominance is his team's current downfall, although he concedes that he will not have the kind of money to buy a player that guarantees goals in the new year.

He said: "It's very difficult to find someone with a proven goal-scoring record a club like ours can afford. Come January we will hopefully make additions, but proven goal scorers at this level are not going to be available."

Torres Will Lift Gerrard, Says Rafa

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has hinted that Fernando Torres' return to action will spur Steven Gerrard to new heights of excellence.

With Torres missing three weeks due to a torn hamstring, the pressure was heaped back upon Gerrard to be Liverpool's main man. It is a role he is used, and one he has performed brilliantly throughout his career, but itse physical toll has been evident over the last month.

But 'El Nino' is back in action, having returned as a susbstitute against West Bromwich Albion at the weekend, meaning the skipper has his partner-in-crime by his side - or, more accurately, just ahead of him - once more.

"It is clear to me that Gerrard's level will improve now Torres is available again," Benitez said in the Daily Mail.

"You can see Stevie is a bit tired after putting so much in over the past few weeks but having Torres around will help him.

"Apart from all the things Torres brings to the side on his own he will be another outlet for Stevie, another target who will benefit from the accuracy of his passing."

However, with Robbie Keane hitting form and Xabi Alonso performing so consistently in midfield, there is the possibility that Gerrard could be afforded a recuperative spell on the sidelines.

Benitez added: "Ideally, Stevie could do with a bit of a rest but maybe it will be easier to do that with Fernando back."

Reina - Reds Lack Experience

Jose Reina admits that inexperience in Premier League title chases will work against Liverpool.

The Reds sit level on points with Chelsea at the top of the table after suffering only one defeat this season.

But Reina fears that the Blues, and fellow title rivals Manchester United, will possess greater know-how when the going gets tough.

Liverpool have not won the league since 1990 and Spanish goalkeeper Reina recognises that a title tilt would be a new encounter.

Reina said in the Daily Star Sunday: "We haven't won the league in 18 years and it's going to take the effort of every player to change that.

"United and Chelsea have the experience because they have won the title before - and recently.

"They know what winning the title is all about and that is something which we don't have."

Robbie Keane: Liverpool Can Win The Premier League

Liverpool striker Robbie Keane scored his first league goals for the club - then claimed the Merseysiders have the confidence to go for their first Premier League title.

The Irishman netted twice in today’s 3-0 win over West Brom as Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League following last week’s defeat at Tottenham.

And, asked if Rafael Benitez’s side can maintain their challenge where they have faltered in previous seasons, Keane told Setanta Sports: “I can’t comment on the past because I haven’t been here but confidence is high.

“Even though we lost at Tottenham last week, we’ve bounced back.”

Keane - who also has two Champions League strikes to his name - was delighted with his double in his 12th league outing for Liverpool.

“It’s been a while coming but I think you’ve seen Robbie Keane back to his best,” he said.

“Each game I feel like I’m getting better and better. Luckily enough for me, I got my goals but it’s not about Robbie Keane, it’s about getting three points.”

Benitez said: “This year we have showed character in a lot of games.”

On Keane, the manager added he had not been worried about the Republic of Ireland international’s struggles to score.

The Spaniard said: “He was playing well, working so hard for the team. Two goals, and there could have been another one, will relax him.”

West Brom manager Tony Mowbray admitted the better team had won but, although his side have to play Chelsea next, he is confident they will avoid an immediate return to the Championship.

He told Setanta Sports: “We’ll win enough football matches to make sure we’re still here next year.”

He added: “We aren’t going to get judged on these games, we try to take the positives.

“We want to come here and play football and try to score a goal, and next week we’ll do the same.

“I thought we gave a good account of ourselves but at this level, if you have a sloppy 10 minutes, you could be out of the game.”

Rafa Benitez: Why I Subbed Two-Goal Robbie Keane

Rafael Benitez believes Robbie Keane can follow the example of Peter Crouch and go on a goal-scoring spree after opening his Barclays Premier League account for Liverpool.

Keane netted twice as the Anfield outfit kept pace with Chelsea at the top of the table with a comfortable 3-0 home win over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Having already scored in the Champions League this season, it had taken the striker 12 games to register in domestic competition after his near £20million move from Tottenham Hotspur during the summer.

Crouch famously suffered a similar barren league run when he arrived from Portsmouth three seasons ago before rediscovering his goal-scoring touch.

And Benitez reckons Keane is capable of now embarking on a profitable run of his own.

“Robbie was working hard and has been playing well but it is massively important for a striker to score so it’s both good news for him and for us,” said the Liverpool manager.

“I think you’ll see him get a lot more now. If the team keeps playing well and creating chances there is no reason why he won’t get a lot more. It was just a question of time.

“You could see the difference in Keane as soon as he scored the first goal. It made a massive difference to him.

“I remember talking about Peter Crouch when he first arrived and we were waiting for his first goal. Once he got off the mark, a lot more came and it will be the same with Robbie.”

Benitez added: “I spoke to Robbie before the game, he was under pressure to score but I told him that he had to stay calm because he has been playing well for the team.

“He told me that he was fine, that he had no problems, but you know a striker is always thinking about scoring goals and so it was very important for him to get his first in the league for us.

“Hopefully we will see him scoring a lot more every week now. I wanted to reassure him because it has been difficult for him.”

Keane was denied the chance of completing a hat-trick when he was replaced 18 minutes from time by Fernando Torres, who was making his comeback after missing the previous six games with a hamstring problem.

It’s the 13th time in 15 starts the Irishman has been substituted this season and Benitez said: “I also spoke to Robbie about the substitutions before the game. I said ‘I know I am changing you a lot but it is only because we need a different kind of player at certain stages of the game’.

“I didn’t want to do it again against West Bromwich because, after his two goals, I was expecting the hat-trick. But we had to win the game, that was the most important thing, and Torres had to play too.

“I’m sure he was thinking ‘Why me? Leave me on the pitch’, but I wanted to use the pace of Torres. They were playing high up the pitch.

“I didn’t get to speak to him after the game, apart from saying ‘congratulations’ when he came off, because he was getting his man-of-the-match award.

“You can have sentiment as a manager sometimes but at 2-0 you have to be careful because one goal for them and it becomes very nervous at the end.”

Keane was partnered by Dirk Kuyt on Saturday with Steven Gerrard reverting to a central midfield role.

And Benitez said: “I had been using Robbie and Stevie up front and he is different type of player to Torres.

“Torres has the pace to run behind defenders and Keane has good movement.

“For Gerrard, it was more difficult to find the pass to Robbie and more difficult for Robbie to find the run behind defenders but, with two strikers, I knew he would have more chances and it would make things easier for him.

“The only thing is you lose some of the balance of the team playing that way but we were better than them.

“Sometimes we’ll play with two strikers and other times we’ll just go with one.

“Going with two strikers helped Robbie in this game but it will be a good problem for me to have Torres fit again, Gerrard and everyone else fit.”

Alvaro Arbeloa scored his second career goal for Liverpool by sealing the victory with a well-taken strike in injury time. However, the Spanish full-back also picked up his fifth league booking of the season and will miss Saturday’s trip to Bolton.

Rafa Benitez: Robbie Keane Is Worth Every Penny Of £20million

Rafael Benitez insisted he had no doubts Robbie Keane would start banging in the goals despite an 11-match barren spell in the Barclays Premier League.

The £20million striker finally got off the mark in the league for Liverpool with two first-half goals that sent West Brom to defeat at Anfield and the Merseysiders back to the top of the table.

Alvaro Arbeloa added a third in the final minute to secure a 3-0 victory.

But it was Keane’s contribution that pleased Benitez. The Reds boss said: “I have always wanted to support Robbie, he has been playing and contributing to our victories.

“I have had no doubts that he would start to score regularly for us. Robbie has told me he has got a monkey off his back, not an expression I had heard before but I understand what he meant.

“Robbie has game intelligence and he is always a threat to defenders. It was only a matter of time before he scored in the league.

“He is quick and can punish any mistakes that defenders make, and that is what he did.”

Keane, a former Wolves player, clearly enjoys games against their Black Country rivals. He has now scored eight in his last six starts against Albion.

Benitez also explained his reasons for not leaving Keane on the pitch in the final stages to try to complete his hat-trick.

He said: “We needed to get Fernando Torres into the game, we needed his pace to complete the victory and maybe get the third.

“Fernando is not match-fit, but we needed to get him into the action. We had some tired players out there, Robbie was trying hard but Fernando was important to us in the final stages.”

It was Torres’ first game after missing six matches with a hamstring injury.

Albion boss Tony Mowbray considered his side had done their best. He said: “We intended to be positive, to ask Liverpool some questions and go for it.

“We intended to be attack-minded and for long spells we held our own. We had a sloppy 10 minutes and we were punished for that.

“But we had some young strikers out there against top-class defenders. They were a little naive at times.

“But games like this will not define our season that will come against clubs around us in the table.

“But if we can stay up, and come back next season with some better players, we will be able to improve.

“There is no lack of belief about us, we have confidence, and I am not worried at this stage about our position. We are still very much in touch with everyone.”

Match Report: LiverpooL 3 - 0 West Brom

Robbie Keane gave Rafael Benitez his 150th victory as Liverpool boss as the Anfield club moved back to the top of the Barclays Premier League.

Keane, who had managed to score only twice previously since his summer move from Tottenham - both in the Champions League - finally broke his league duck when he drove home from a Steven Gerrard pass in the 34th minute.

Keane's second came when he rounded Scott Carson a couple of minutes before the break and Alvaro Arbeloa added the gloss in injury time.

Liverpool have now beaten West Brom in their last 10 meetings and wiped away the memory of losing their unbeaten record at Spurs last weekend.

Fernando Torres made his return after a six-game absence with a hamstring injury, but initially only as far as the bench.

Benitez rested midfielder Xabi Alonso and brought in Yossi Benayoun as the only change from the side that drew with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.

West Brom were without James Morrison from the side that drew with Blackburn last time out, Do-heon Kim coming into the team.

West Brom, who have not won at Anfield in 41 years, set out with a positive approach by opting for two strikers, Roman Bednar and Ishmael Miller.

They initially moved forward with confidence, but Liverpool had space down both flanks to exploit and slowly started to pull West Brom's defence apart.

Former Liverpool keeper Carson saved well from Gerrard and Keane, but although Albion were still abrasive up front, a home breakthrough was only a matter of time.

Daniel Agger's tackle halted Borja Valero in the act of shooting, before Jonas Olsson was booked for a foul on Dirk Kuyt after 18 minutes.

At this point West Brom were standing up well to Liverpool's quick passing moves, which frequently broke down around Keane, whose anticipation of balls into space was at times poor.

But Liverpool came close when Gerrard sent in Benayoun on the right. Carson did well to save the winger's shot, but the ball bounced up and onto the arm of Olsson before bouncing away for a corner. Referee Peter Walton ignored pleas for a penalty.

Four minutes later Liverpool did take the lead. This time Keane read Gerrard's run and pass into space to perfection and motored onto it to lift his shot over the diving Carson.

And it was Keane who grabbed another to silence the West Brom fans who had been abusing him because of his association with Wolves many years back.

His second came two minutes from the break when he latched onto a fine through ball from Fabio Aurelio after Liverpool had broken with devastating speed as they cleared an Albion corner.

Keane was in yards of space to round the on-rushing Carson before firing an angled drive into an empty net.

Such a situation would have deflated many sides, but Albion came forward with purpose and spirit in the second period.

Robert Koren saw a long-range shot held by Jose Reina and another drive go wide before Albion opted for two substitutions after 56 minutes.

Luke Moore and Filipe Teixeira came on for Bednar and Do-heon Kim.

Keane got away from Ryan Donk in the box after 60 minutes, but Carson was out quickly to take the ball off the Irishman's toes.

Liverpool sent on Ryan Babel for Albert Riera after 66 minutes, the home side having been too quick to start coasting to victory and West Brom still showing spirit.

Torres' arrival finally came after 71 minutes, in place of the disappointed Keane, who had been striving for a hat-trick.

Torres' was soon into the action, taking a Benayoun pass. A quick change of pace and a fierce low shot, saved by Carson, followed and the Spaniard was back in his stride.

Liverpool had to wait until the final minute for their third, when full-back Arbeloa cut in from the right to fire into the top corner.

Benitez: 'The Monkey On Robbie's Back Has Gone, Whatever That Means.'

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has said that he always had faith in Robbie Keane, after the Republic of Irish international bagged a brace against the Baggies.

Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Robbie Keane is finally off the mark in the Premier League for new club Liverpool as he scored twice against West Bromwich Albion in the early evening kick-off at Anfield.

Alvaro Arbeloa added a third moments before the final whistle, and the resultant three points saw the Reds return to the top of the table.

Manager Rafa Benitez maintained his belief that Keane would always become a regular scorer for the title hopefuls, telling Sky Sports in his post-match interview:

"I have always wanted to support Robbie, he has been playing and contributing to our victories.

"I have had no doubts that he would start to score regularly for us. Robbie has told me he has got a monkey off his back, not an expression I had heard before.

"Robbie has game intelligence and he is always a threat to defenders. It was only a matter of time before he scored in the league," Rafa said.

"He is quick and can punish any mistakes that defenders make, and that is what he did."

Agger: Reds Need More Goals

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has admitted his side must start converting their chances in front of goal if they are to have any chance of claiming silverware this season.

Rafael Benitez’s Liverpool were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal last weekend as they slumped to a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham, despite largely dominating the game.

Speaking to the club’s official website, defender Daniel Agger admitted he was at a loss to explain the result at White Hart Lane. He said: “I don't think I can explain the defeat at Tottenham, but the result certainly wasn't good enough.”

The Danish defender confessed that his side had created enough chances to win the game but refused to blame anyone for the loss. Agger explained: “Against Spurs it wasn't just one or two chances, it was seven or eight, and they fell to different players. It was just one of those days.”

The Reds also spurned several opportunities in midweek against Atletico Madrid and Agger insisted Benitez’s men must improve, particularly in the Premier League.

“The League is so tight and there are so many games in a short space of time so you can't keep thinking about mistakes you have made. You have to carry on,” he admitted before adding, “But one thing that we have to remember is that if you don't score enough goals you don't win.”

The defender himself was guilty of missing opportunities against the Spanish side and he acknowledged he could have scored a hat-trick. He said: “To create those chances is obviously a good thing, but on a good day I could have scored three or even four goals."

Agger was also quick to warn his team mates that they must learn from their mistakes and admitted that they can’t afford to keep missing chances.

“We need to learn all the time and if we have lots of chances we need to take as many of them as we can,” he confessed before concluding, “Almost isn't good enough.”

Liverpool Will Not Offer Rafa Benitez The Five-Year Deal He Wants

Rafa Benitez will have to revise his contract demands if he is to secure a new deal from Liverpool's American owners.

The announcement from Tom Hicks and George Gillett that they are now ready to open talks to secure Benitez's future prompted the Spaniard to reveal that he wants a five-year agreement to be secured by the end of the month.

But while the American pair want to pacify both Benitez and the Liverpool fans - who want to see their ownership of the Anfield club come to an end - they will not sanction a contract that will expire in 2013.

Chief executive Rick Parry is expected to begin negotiations with Benitez's advisers this week.

But Liverpool will not be railroaded into bowing to their manager's insistence that a deal should be concluded by the end of November.

An Anfield insider said: "In American sports it is unusual for a coach to be given the kind of long-term contract Benitez is looking for.

"Such deals are normally extended by one or sometimes two more years and Rafa already has 18 months left on his current contract. There is obviously room for negotiation, but these things often take time."

Benitez revealed to Sunday Mirror Sport last week how a contract stand-off at Valencia prompted him to quit the Spanish club for Liverpool in 2004 just weeks after leading them to a La Liga and UEFA Cup double.

That prompted the two Americans to contact Benitez during the week with assurances about a new deal.

Rafa Benitez Gagged

Rafa Benitez will be gagged when he finally signs his new £5million-a-year deal.

Liverpool owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks have at last agreed to begin talks on the manager’s contract extension.

But they intend to add conditions to prevent further fall-outs between Benitez and the board.

Gillett, in particular, will demand a silence clause that bans the Spaniard from talking openly and honestly about the club’s policies.

In the past, Benitez’s frank assessment of Liverpool’s position has angered the Americans and almost led to his dismissal a year ago.

But they have come to realise Benitez is the man who can lead Liverpool to glory and that he deserves a new deal.

The owners’ decision to open talks symbolises a thawing of relations at Anfield.

Yet, with no timescale in place, it is possible that the Yanks will sell the club before Benitez gets a chance to pen terms, leaving him in limbo.

Hicks and Gillett are relaxed about allowing negotiations to continue for the rest of the season.

The Liverpool boss, however, is anxious for a swift resolution, saying he wants everything sorted “very, very quickly”.

He is hoping for a four- year deal worth £20m.

But last season, Hicks said he was looking to give the manager just a one-year extension.

The players cannot wait for their boss to secure his future.