Robbie Keane a key figure for title bid - Liverpool FC assistant boss Sammy Lee

A record of just four goals in his first 22 games and the fact that he had been taken off in 16 of his first 20 starts fuelled suggestions that Liverpool could cash in on the 28-year-old when Fernando Torres works his way back to fitness during the January transfer window.

Keane also suffered a snub two weeks ago when he was kept on the bench by Rafael Benitez despite the Liverpool manager seeing his side struggling to a 2-2 draw at home to Hull.

But Lee, who was again in charge of the team despite Benitez being back at Anfield yesterday, has praised the forward for the way he has responded to a difficult start to his Liverpool career.

"We've never felt that he has been off form, despite what people keep saying," said Lee.

"He has been working hard and tirelessly for the team and that is the measure of the lad that he has kept on going.

"People have said things about him but we know why we brought him to the club and we have had no problems at all with him whatsoever.

"We decide who plays, who comes off, that is up to the staff to manage the team. Yes, he has been taken off but these decisions are all made for the benefit of the team and we do what we feel is necessary for this club.

"It is a long and arduous campaign, so when we as a coaching staff make a decision to take a player off, for whatever reason, that is what we will do.

"I don't feel he has ever lacked confidence here, he has kept going and done well, we at this club know what he is capable of and we know what quality he has and what he is adding to the side. So there are no problems."

Keane himself reiterated how little notice he has taken of either the speculation or doubts about how he fits into the Liverpool system.

He said: "You can't worry about what people say, you have to be strong enough to take criticism.

"It's all part of football and if you can't take criticism then there's no point being in this job."

Liverpool's victory was their first at home since November 8 following disappointing stalemates with Fulham, West Ham and Hull City.

But Lee sensed from the kick-off that any anxiety the crowd had about them slipping up again wouldn't diminish their support of the team as they looked to re-establish their one-point advantage over Chelsea.

"The crowd were patient, said Lee. "They were with us all the way and they realised what we were trying to do, keep the ball, move it around the full width of the pitch to break them down.

"And then when we created chances we had to make sure we took them to win the match.

"We were aware of what happened with Chelsea and Manchester United both winning but we also knew we had to concentrate on our job and that is what we have done."

Benitez sat in the directors' box yesterday in his first public appearance since his kidney stones operations.

Whether he makes the trip to Newcastle for tomorrow's noon kick-off is still being assessed, but Lee is likely to remain in charge from the bench.