LONDON: Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has backed Robbie Keane to come good despite his latest flop against West Ham.

Keane was substituted for the 15th time since his STG20 million (RM107 million) move from Tottenham in pre-season as Liverpool were held to a goalless draw at Anfield on Monday.

Although Liverpool went a point clear of Chelsea at the top of the Premier League, they were far from convincing and Keane looked a frustrated figure when Benitez replaced him with young French striker David Ngog in the second half.

But Benitez is convinced the real Keane, who starred for Tottenham, will emerge sooner rather than later.

"Robbie is a better player than the one we are seeing now," he said. "We know what kind of player Robbie Keane is. He needs people around him to pass the ball well.
"I believe he will be okay, he will score more if we create chances for him.

"But if that does not happen we have to use players with different qualities to open up the game."

Keane has managed just four goals this term and only completed 90 minutes on three occasions in 22 appearances, yet Benitez has told the Republic of Ireland forward to keeping working and the goals will come.

"Robbie does get disappointed when things are not going his way. He is a worker, but he can improve," he said.

"It is a question of confidence. If we score first in this type of game then we will grow and win. Some players may be lacking in confidence, but if we keep creating chances we will be okay.

"Robbie, when he came off, was disappointed. But players always want to be out on the pitch for 90 minutes, but we were thinking of different solutions and Ngog did well when he came on, holding the ball up." -- AFP