MARK LAWRENSON: I'm not sure Liverpool will keep Robbie Keane

Benitez's favoured 4-2-3-1 formation isn't suited to his game. Steven Gerrard has to be in the middle of that three supporting Fernando Torres when he's fit. If he isn't, Keane really can't play up front on his own.

And even though Benitez hinted he could play wide when he first signed, it's always been obvious that he is not a winger. And as such, he hasn't been played there.

It really leaves Keane with nowhere to go - except through the exit door.

Which is fine. If both parties agree something hasn't worked out then there's no shame in parting ways rather than hanging round to sort out an issue that can't be resolved.

The Irish captain is 28 and he's not going to change the way he plays now and he isn't likely to improve either.

But he is still a very good footballer who hasn't been afraid to move on if he isn't playing football, because that is all he wants to do.

He wrote off his move to Inter Milan as a bad idea, and he soon left Leeds when he couldn't compete with Alan Smith and Mark Viduka for a place in the forward line.

The place he has been a great success is Spurs - where he stayed around long enough to establish himself over time. At this stage, it might not be a bad idea for him to head straight back there.

As for Benitez, while I understand his reasons for not bringing on Keane on Saturday, I just feel it is yet another snub that indicates all is not well.

Look at the amount of times Keane has been brought off when he has started this season. Even against West Brom, when he had already scored twice, he wasn't given the chance to stay on and get his hat-trick.

Yet even that double strike didn't give the player the confidence he needed. After all, when the manager doesn't have much confidence in you, there's not much point.

It's all very unfortunate for all concerned but if a decent price can be sealed in January, Rafa might get an attacking player who can fit into his system more readily than Keane has.

But neither the manger not the player can be blamed for this move not working out.

Benitez shouldn't be criticised for wasting money and Keane can't be blamed for not finding his form for the club he so desperately wanted to join.

It's just that in football - cruel and unforgiving as it is - these things just happen sometimes.

Mark Lawrenson was speaking to NICK SMITH