Source: Daily_Mail
Hansen labels Keane a 'failure' and says Benitez was right to sell him
Alan Hansen has slammed Robbie Keane over his failure to make any impact at Liverpool[LNB]and claims Rafael Benitez was right to let the Republic of Ireland striker re-join Tottenham[LNB].[LNB]Keane struggled to produce his best form at Anfield following his £20m move from Spurs last summer and netted just five goals in 19 league appearances.[LNB]Liverpool fans are angry that Benitez allowed Keane to leave without bringing in another top-quality forward to replace him and could have done with his presence as they crashed out of the FA Cup against Everton on Wednesday night.[LNB][LNB] Back for good: Robbie Keane has rejoined Spurs after just six months at Liverpool[LNB]But Hansen, who made more than 600 appearances for the Merseyside club, believes Keane was given every opportunity to show his talent but that his record was not good enough for Liverpool.[LNB]Hansen, a pundit for footballpools.com, said: 'Rafa Benitez is receiving a lot of stick at the moment, particularly over the sale of Robbie Keane to Tottenham.[LNB] Gerrard set to miss Bernabeu battle as hamstring injury rules Liverpool skipper out for three weeks [LNB]VIDEO: ITV broadcast 117 mins of turgid, goalless football then show adverts instead of Everton's glorious winner against rivals Liverpool[LNB]LIVERPOOL FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB]Spurs defender Chimbonda determined to dent Arsenal's Champions League hopes [LNB]Redknapp wasn't Inter letting Jenas leave Spurs in January[LNB]SPURS FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB][LNB]'The press have been quick to suggest Robbie could have made a big impact on the [Everton] game and he wasn't given a fair crack at the whip but the simple truth of the matter is that the lad came to Liverpool and didn't play well.[LNB]'People will argue that Robbie didn't have the chance to impress and was played out of position but he had numerous chances to score goals in a Liverpool shirt and he didn't take them.[LNB] [LNB] Struggled: Striker Keane scored just five goals in 19 appearances for the Reds[LNB]'If you look at his record, Robbie did start a lot of matches. OK, some may have been up front on his own which isn't his best position, but he had lots of opportunities to score and for some reason or another, he failed to convert them.[LNB]'A record of just five league goals for a £20m striker is not good, so you have to say his move was a failure.[LNB]'Six months is not a long time to settle into a new club but that's modern day football for you. I have no doubts he'll go back to Tottenham and do well as he's a hero down there and a very good player - it just didn't work out for him at Liverpool.' [LNB]Hansen is aware of the pressure that will now be placed on the shoulders of Fernando Torres in the Liverpool attack.[LNB]But the Liverpool legend is pleading with supporters to give Torres more time to regain his best form and not expect miracles from the Spanish striker who has only just recovered from a hamstring injury.[LNB] [LNB] All smiles: New Liverpool signing Robbie Keane with Rafael Benitez back in July but little did the Irishman know the move would not work out after six months[LNB]He also says Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel will need to raise their game if Liverpool want to stop Manchester United winning the title for the third successive season. [LNB]Hansen added: 'Was Rafa wrong to sell him without getting a replacement in? Well to be fair the lad hardly played in the last five or so games and was not even in the squad so there was no real point in keeping him though now a hell of a lot rests on the shoulders of Fernando Torres and his fitness.[LNB]'Once again Torres didn't have the best of games but that's all down to the injuries he's suffered with this season.[LNB]'Last season when the Spaniard was one-on-one with a defender he flew past them but his game is based on his pace and hamstring injuries take their toll on that.[LNB]'If he'd had an ankle or knee injury it wouldn't be such a problem but the hamstring really affects a player so it will take him time to get back to his best, though he looked far sharper against Chelsea.[LNB]'Liverpool have Dirk and Ryan who can play up front but winning the title is all about strength in depth which is something United have in abundance.'[LNB] Gerrard set to miss Bernabeu battle as hamstring injury rules Liverpool skipper out for three weeks [LNB]VIDEO: ITV broadcast 117 mins of turgid, goalless football then show adverts instead of Everton's glorious winner against rivals Liverpool[LNB]LIVERPOOL FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB]Spurs defender Chimbonda determined to dent Arsenal's Champions League hopes [LNB]Redknapp wasn't Inter letting Jenas leave Spurs in January[LNB]SPURS FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB][LNB] [LNB]
