Javier Mascherano has joined the clamour of appreciation
from Anfield for Robbie Keane as Liverpool prepare for their
Champions League Group D home clash with PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday
night.
Keane is still to score after 10 games for his new club
following the Irishman's £20million move from Tottenham in the
summer.
In recent weeks Keane has received strong support from Steven
Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt, and now midfielder Mascherano has added his
weight to the argument.
He said: "Robbie Keane is a great player, and now he is playing
in a different system to what he was used to at Spurs.
"He must get used to the different way that we play, but of
course I believe he can have a great partnership with Fernando
Torres."
With Gerrard searching for his 100th goal for the club - as
Liverpool look for their 100th goal under manager Rafael Benitez in
European competition - Mascherano is confident Keane will get off
the mark.
He said: "Robbie has scored lots of goals in his career and he
will do the same here."
Benitez will have Mascherano back from a calf injury to face the
Dutch champions.
The problem now for Benitez is the rampant expectation that sees
them expected to beat sides like PSV at Anfield.
It does not help the Anfield coach's plan for calm and
concentration when Liverpool have such a good record against
Eindhoven.
In 2006-07 on the way to the Athens final against AC Milan,
Liverpool met PSV four times in the competition. The sides played
out a goalless draw in Holland in the group stages with Liverpool
winning the return 2-0.
They then met in the quarter-final with the Reds winning 3-0 in
Holland and by a one-goal margin at Anfield.
Benitez said: "PSV are a different side with a different manager
and many players since the last time we played them in Europe.
"Yes, we have beaten them at Anfield twice, but that is when
things can be dangerous. People expect things to happen.
"The fact that PSV lost their opening group match to Atletico
Madrid is also a problem for us. They have to get something here
now and they will sit and defend and try to catch us on the
counter-attack.
"Now when we are in a good situation, people are really happy,
and everybody is expecting to see the team playing well and scoring
goals.
"But I think it's more important to be concentrated, to be
focused and keep on winning."
Liverpool, unbeaten this season, can all but end PSV's interest
in the competition tonight.
But Benitez, who takes charge of his 250th Liverpool game, said:
"When you are playing well and winning games, with everyone talking
about how good you are, it is important to calm down and get people
talking only about the next game.
"It is dangerous when you hear people talking well about your
team, then we have to make sure we do not listen to what is being
said but just concentrate on the future."