Home » ARTICLES » “I wasn’t playing”- PL icon reveals why he swapped Liverpool for Spurs in 2009

“I wasn’t playing”- PL icon reveals why he swapped Liverpool for Spurs in 2009

Photo of author

By Yuvraj Singh

Robbie Keane reveals why he left Liverpool to re-join Tottenham Hotspur prematurely

Republic of Ireland legend Robbie Keane reflected on his short stint at Liverpool, ahead of his return to Anfield in the fixture between Liverpool legends against Manchester United legends.

Robbie Keane became a Premier League household name with his exploits for Tottenham Hotspur where he spent six seasons between 2002 to 2008. The forward had a boyhood dream to play for Liverpool and it was envisaged in 2008 when he joined Liverpool, much to the disappointment of fans of Tottenham Hotspur.

However, his stint with the club was way shorter than envisaged and he left Liverpool to rejoin Spurs after spending six months at Anfield. In his short tenure, he scored seven goals in 28 appearances for the Merseyside club.

Reflecting on his reasons for leaving Liverpool, he said to the official LFC website:

Robbie Keane is a former Tottenham Hotspur, Inter Milan, and Liverpool striker.
Robbie Keane is a former Tottenham Hotspur, Inter Milan, and Liverpool striker. (Photo by Oisin Keniry/Getty Images)

“I wasn’t playing as regularly as I’d liked to, which is obviously frustrating for any player. You don’t want to be looking forward to sitting on the bench when it comes round to the weekend.”

Citing lack of playing time as the main factor behind his exit, it is rather astounding to hear this considering he was an unused substitute only four times in his entire Liverpool career.

His return was a delight to the ears for Spurs fans who saw a player returned at his peak age and went on to be prolific for them for the next couple of seasons.

Keane eventually left for Major League Soccer team LA Galaxy and was later joined by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard. He won three league titles with the American outfit.

Robbie Keane during his playing days at Tottenham Hotspur. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Robbie Keane during his playing days at Tottenham Hotspur. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

It would be wise to say that Robbie Keane could have shown more patience with his spell at Liverpool and things could have turned very differently for the former Republic of Ireland international.

He is still considered one of the best players to ever play in the Premier League and had a noteworthy professional career.

More Liverpool News

He would be coming back to Anfield next week and would be reminiscent of his time there as a player and the faded feeling of what could have been.

Subsribe To Our News Letter

Receive the best bits of Liverpool coverage on your mail

* indicates required