Former Liverpool striker Robbie Keane has broken his silence on his disappointing spell at Anfield, pointing the finger squarely at then-manager Rafa Benitez for a perceived lack of respect.
A Short-Lived Anfield Dream
The Republic of Ireland legend, who is now a manager himself, joined the Reds from Tottenham Hotspur in 2008 with significant expectation. However, his stay lasted a mere six months before he was sold back to Spurs in February 2009, despite contributing seven goals and five assists in 28 appearances.
Keane, now 45, believes his talent was never the issue. Instead, he suggests his working relationship with the Spanish tactician was fatally flawed from the start. Speaking ahead of a clash between his first senior club, Wolves, and Liverpool, Keane reflected on what might have been.
"All I Wanted Was a Bit of Respect"
In a candid interview, Keane explained the core of the problem. "Of course I wish it had gone differently, but I have no regrets," he stated. "I do believe with a different manager it would have worked for me." He emphasised the importance of mutual respect in a manager-player dynamic, something he felt was absent.
"When you've been around for a while as a player, all you want is a bit of respect and to be treated the way you feel you deserve to be," Keane added, hinting at a disconnect with Benitez's methods. While he stopped short of a direct attack, his message was clear: his potential was never fully unlocked on Merseyside due to managerial style.
Flashes of Brilliance Amid Struggle
Keane's time at Liverpool was not without its moments. After a slow start that saw him go 11 Premier League games without a goal, he broke his duck with a brace against West Bromwich Albion in November 2008. He also scored a crucial equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Arsenal the following month.
Yet, his partnership with Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt failed to consistently ignite. His subsequent return to Tottenham, where his goal output immediately improved, suggested the issue at Liverpool was systemic rather than a sudden decline in his abilities.
The Manager Who Got the Best from Keane
In stark contrast to his experience with Benitez, Keane reserves high praise for Gordon Strachan, who gave him his professional debut at Coventry City in 1999. "He is the best manager I have ever played for," Keane affirmed. "He is a fantastic man-manager who has always known how to get the best out of a player."
This comparison underscores Keane's belief that effective man-management was the missing ingredient during his brief and underwhelming stint at Anfield. Both Benitez and Keane have since moved on, with the Spaniard leaving Liverpool in 2010 and Keane retiring in 2018 before moving into management with Hungarian side Ferencvaros.
