Robbie Keane: Playing in the Merseyside derby tops the lot
BOYHOOD Liverpool fan Robbie Keane is excited by the prospect of playing in his first Merseyside derby - and reckons the experience at Goodison Park will be even greater than the North London affairs he played in for Tottenham against Arsenal.
Keane, 28, is the latest in a long line of fans who have followed Liverpool from afar and joined the club in recent years, finally fulfilling his lifetime dream of a move to Anfield this summer.
Six seasons at White Hart Lane ensured the Irish international has plenty of experience of local skirmishes involving two of the English football's biggest clubs but he reckons tomorrow's game will eclipse the derbies he played in the capital.
He said: "As a player you always want to play in games like this and I've been involved in a few derbies in my time.
"The north London derby with Arsenal while I was with Tottenham was fantastic and I'm sure this will be no different - and even better.
"Playing against Everton is something that I'm really looking forward to.
"I think every player wants to be involved in big games and they don't come any bigger than Everton against Liverpool. It's the first one of the season so I think everyone is looking forward to it - especially me."
While it's been a bad start to the season for Everton defensively with David Moyes's side leaking an average of two goals per match, Keane has so far failed to find his scoring boots since manager Rafael Benitez showed enough faith in him to make him a £20million signing.
Despite being the Republic of Ireland's all-time leading scorer with 34 international goals and netting 23 for Tottenham last season, Keane has yet to register a goal in a Liverpool jersey in 13 games including friendlies.
However, Keane subscribes to the old adage that when it comes to derbies, the form book is irrelevant.
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He said: "I think everything goes out the window with derbies.
"My experience of derby games has taught me that each match is always completely different - no matter how well you've been doing in the league or how good the team you're playing against is.
"Form can give you confidence how you play, but things will be different because it will be two teams fighting for local pride on Saturday."
Keane can take comfort though from an impressive record against Everton during his Tottenham days including his only Premier League hat-trick in January 2003.
He said: "Tottenham got quite a few good results against them while I was there, so hopefully that will be the same this time around with Liverpool.
"But at this moment in time I'll be happy with just the one goal."
Although Keane is wary of a hard-fought battle on the Goodison turf - the last 10 derbies have produced 48 bookings and seven red cards - he also recognises there are several ball players in Everton's side.
He said: "People say Everton are always a very physical side, and yes they are physical.
"But they also have players who like to play good football like Arteta, Cahill and Osman, so it will be a tough game and they look like a really solid unit too.
"They have attacking players who can go forward and score goals."
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