Liverpool's title surge is down to selling Robbie Keane back to Tottenham, says former Arsenal defender Martin Keown.
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.
