2008 Robbie Keane thunderstrike makes goal of the day
A Robbie Keane thunderbolt for Liverpool against Arsenal has been selected as the Premier League’s goal of the day.
Keane didn’t do that much for the Reds during his six months at Anfield, but this first time volley has to go down as one of his better career efforts.
The Republic of Ireland international was a good player, but things didn’t really click for him on Mersyeside and Keane was swiftly transferred back to Tottenham Hotspur.
After playing for five teams between 1999 and 2002, the forward found is most permanent home at White Heart Lane and rewarded the London side with 120 goals in 298 games. This was is most sustained period of success by far, with Keane’s next most appearances coming in America at LA Galaxy. The striker featured 170 times for the MLS side.
First-time finishes don't come much better... #GoalOfTheDay @LFC pic.twitter.com/WxjtbbVytD
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 14, 2018
After that it drops off dramatically, and the Irish star featured 50 times or less for seven of his 10 career clubs. In 28 games for Liverpool, Keane managed to hit the back of the net seven times and assisted five others.
Rafa Benitez signed the striker for £21.60 million in the summer of 2008, but six months later he was leading back down south and re-signed with Tottenham for £15.03 million. A handy little profit, I’m sure you’ll agree!
get some more robbie keane action down ya. The 25 WORST strikers in Liverpool history. light
His return to London wasn’t just down to ability or work ethic. Indeed, Kop legend Steven Gerrard even criticized manager Rafa Benitez for the way he handled Keane. SportsJoe reported that there was a clash of philosophy between player and manager, with Benitez trying to change Keane’s style of play too much.
“It was more down to Rafa trying to change the way Robbie played,” clarified Gerrard. “Rafa was trying to change that and change his game and I don’t think Robbie was too happy with that,” concluded the Rangers’ boss.
Next. All Rafa Benitez 45 signings for Liverpool ranked!. dark
And as the league has seen with the Spaniard at Newcastle United, if a player can’t fit the way Benitez wants to set up, they’re out the door. Aleksandar Mitrovic knows that all too well, and his four goals in four games for Fulham prove that Benitez doesn’t budge when it comes to his requirements.