Why Liverpool were so keen on Keane

So Robbie Keane has made the northwards journey to his childhood favourite football team Liverpool for a credit crunch-busting £20.8 million, and at first I was dumbstruck by this piece of business.

Don't get me wrong. Having watched the Irishman ply his trade at our arch-rival Spurs for the last six seasons (I support the mighty Arsenal, of course!) there can be no doubt he has talent.

And I was surprised to hear during this time he has managed 107 goals in 254 appearances, which by any standards isn't bad, especially when you consider he has had to fight for his first team place, and he is also only about 3 feet high.

My biggest shock was probably at the price they paid.

At 28, Keane is not getting any younger, and with the fresh new talent that is out there, I felt that Benitez might have misplaced his decimal point when he signed the cheque.

But now, having had time to mull it over, I think this could be a stunning bit of business for the Reds.

When you think about it, they have one of the best out and out strikers in the world with Torres, and the biggest piece of the puzzle they have been missing is a decent support striker who can not only make chances, but bang them away, as well as being able to make the unexpected happen.

Gerrard filled this role towards the end of last season, but think how much more influence he can have on a game in centre midfield with Keane and Torres' movement ahead, and the Irishman's eye for a pass!

I reckon I can see why Rafa dug so deep into his wallet to get his man.

Keane is a proven Premiership player, and has bags of ability. It will be interesting if Benitez can make this front two click, because if he can, Liverpool might finally have a strike partnership to take them to the title.