Soccer:Robbie Keane travelled to Holland with the Liverpool squad this morning, ahead of tomorrow's Champions League meeting with PSV Eindhoven and amid reports that he is on the verge of being transferred back to Tottenham.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez brought the Republic of Ireland captain to Anfield in the summer for €25m but the Dubliner's has failed to make the impact required of a player for whom such a significant outlay was sanctioned.
Nevertheless, Benitez said today that Keane will be at Anfield "after the January window" and will have a chance to prove himself against PSV.
In 23 appearances he has found the net just four times - twice in the Champions League and twice in the Barclays Premiership against lowly West Brom - and has been substituted 15 times in 19 starts.
He looks likely, however, to lead the line against the Dutch tomorrow, with Fernando Torres sidelined by a hamstring injury and Dirk Kuyt rested by Benitez.
The Spaniard's preference in European away games has been for one man up front and with that in mind it would appear Keane is the only viable candidate given Benitez's reluctance to start Ryan Babel as a central striker and the inexperience of David Ngog.
The latter replaced Keane in the 0-0 home draw against West Ham a week ago and the Dubliner's reaction to that change, as well as his omission from the side that beat Blackburn 3-1 on Saturday, appear to have fuelled rumours of a return to White Hart Lane.
One report claimed this morning that Keane would be bought back by Spurs for €7m Because Liverpool still owe €13.8m of the initial transfer fee, while another said Liverpool were to be wooed by a €5.7m cash offer plus Aaron Lennon and Jamie O'Hara in part exchange for the Tallaght-man.
It seems inconceivable however, that Keane would agree to the move and confirm his stint with his boyhood club as a failure, or that Benitez would be tempted, considering the implications it would have for his credibility in the transfer market.
"Robbie's future is to be ready, to score goals and to work for the team," said Benitez today. "In football we know we have signed a good player, you cannot guarantee anyone's position. In some games he has to work hard.
"The challenge is there for him. When you sign a player for a lot of money, that is it. He becomes another player in the squad and he has to fight for his position.
"I do not know whether his confidence has been affected, we will see tomorrow.
"Clearly he has to show character, and show you are a good player. When we decide to sign him we knew he was a good player.
"I do not need to talk too much on this. A lot of top clubs have very expensive players, they have four of them on the bench every week.
"He has to know he needs to fight and work hard. But he has a future here, why not?"
Benitez added: "I have a lot of patience with everybody. He will be here after the January window, it is not my idea to sell him."
If Keane features and scores tomorrow it will be his third Champions League goal in six appearance this season, after he found the net away to Atletico Madrid and against PSV at Anfield. In the group stages of club football's premier competition, it wouldn't be a bad return, and the fact remains his two goals have already contributed to Liverpool's prompt qualification for the last 16.
With progress to the knockout stages assured, the only issue that remains to be decided is who tops Group D. A performance from the Irishman could see Liverpool overtake Atletico, regardless of their result in Marseille, as well as silence the speculation surrounding his future and the murmurings of discontent within sections of the Liverpool support.
Benitez will also be without Fabio Aurelio (calf) tomorrow, while Sami Hyypia, Nabil El Zhar and Emiliano Insua - both of whom were involved at Blackburn - are not registered with Uefa for the group matches.
Reserve goalkeeper Martin Kelly, plus local products Stephen Darby and Jay Spearing, have been added to the squad.
Liverpool squad:Reina, Cavalieri, Kelly, Dossena, Agger, Riera, Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano, Benayoun, Keane, Arbeloa, Babel, Lucas, Carragher, Ngog, Spearing, Darby.
