Martin Keown believes that Liverpool will go on to win the Barclays Premier League – because they sold Robbie Keane back to Spurs.
The former Arsenal centre-half, who won the title three times with the Gunners in 1998, 2002 and 2004, has claimed that it is no coincidence that Rafa Benitez’s side have returned to form since Keane’s exit.
Keown, now a pundit on Match of the Day 2, told the Evening Standard: ‘Keane remains a top-class forward but it can be no coincidence that since his departure, the Reds have found their best form – with Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres fit and at the fulcrum of the revival.
‘No matter what Keane’s contribution was in any match following his £ 20.3million move from Tottenham, he was always the talking point. Rafa Benitez had to field endless questions about the Irishman and it was draining for the manager and player, who both deserved better.
‘Keane was bought [for £20.3million] to play off Torres, but Gerrard was consequently pushed back into midfield which only stunted the effectiveness of their captain and contributed to a lack of fluidity. But Benitez’s best team is now obvious.
‘Rafa’s 4-2-3-1, with Gerrard pushed further forward behind Torres, is now a devastating system that maximises everything from the players he has at his disposal – as was demonstrated by the England player’s superb hat-trick yesterday against Aston Villa.’
Benitez now finds himself fielding press conference questions about his side’s stunning victories – 5-0 over Villa, the 4-1 thumping of title rivals Manchester United and 5-0 aggregate triumph over Real Madrid – instead of the ‘Keane’ question.
Keown, 42, added: ‘Everyone seemingly knows their place within the squad.
‘That clarity of thinking is at odds with Sir Alex Ferguson’s United at present and I believe Liverpool will maintain this push and pip the champions because they are now playing with the belief that the Premier League title is in sight.’
Liverpool trail United by one point, although the Red Devils have a game in hand.
Written By GloriousFootball
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