Liverpool striker Robbie Keane, despite his current poor form, enjoys the support of Reds boss Rafa Benitez. "Robbie is a better player than the one we are seeing now," Benitez said today, before adding that the Republic of Ireland international needs his team-mates to create more chances for him.

"We know what kind of player Robbie Keane is. He needs people around him to pass the ball well.

"I believe he will be okay, he will score more if we create chances for him.

"But if that does not happen we have to use players with different qualities to open up the game.

His reaction to being substituted on Monday night is now a concern for Benitez.

"Robbie does get disappointed when things are not going his way. He is a worker, but he can improve.

"It is a question of confidence. If we score first in this type of game then we will grow and win. Some players may be lacking in confidence, but if we keep creating chances we will be okay.

"Robbie, when he came off, was disappointed, but players always want to be out on the pitch for 90 minutes, but we were thinking of different solutions and Ngog did well when he came on, holding the ball up."