Rafa urges Spurs fans to respect Keane

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has called upon Tottenham fans to respect former star striker Robbie Keane when the league leaders visit White Hart Lane on Saturday.

The Spaniard believes Keane, now in Liverpool's ranks, has no reason to feel any extra burden as he prepares to return to the club he left for £20million in the summer.

"He would like to see the Spurs fans and say 'hello' again. He was a key player for them for some years, a fantastic professional and gave 100% all the time," he said.

Benitez compared Keane's return to Peter Crouch's arrival at Anfield in a Portsmouth shirt on Wednesday, just months after his move to Fratton Park.

He added: "Peter came back to Liverpool this week and was given a great reception. He will always be a good player and he has the respect of our fans.

"I do not believe that Robbie has anything to prove, he has great quality. Hopefully Spurs fans will acknowledge this and what he did for them, and that he is now with another team.

"Keane is available after his slight (groin) injury, he wants to play every game anyway, but yes, this one is very important to him."

But Benitez wants more from Keane, who has scored just twice in 16 matches at Liverpool.

He said: "Robbie is a very good player and is working hard, but we know he can play better and score more goals because he has that potential.

"Robbie has experience and is trying to do his job. He is not under pressure because he knows the team is winning, and his contribution to those victories has been very, very good."