Forget what the football pundits say. Take no notice of speculation by the fans. And certainly ignore the managers themselves!

When you see a so-called star player wrapped up in thick coat, hat and gloves and not even on the bench, you just know that all the rumours about leaving a club are true.

It was always odds-on that Robbie Keane was going to leave Liverpool and rejoin Tottenham, despite all the red herrings which were put in the way.

Despite the very public humiliation of being left out of the squad to face Chelsea, Keane’s future was still at Liverpool, according to manager Benitez. So what happened less than 48 hours later? He was sold for around £12 million to Spurs, the club he had only left last summer.

On reflection, however, perhaps it’s time to start analysing how the managers phrase their answers, rather than what we think they are saying.

Benitez told the world: “It’s not my idea to sell him. We have confidence in him but he knows he is not playing to his true level. Robbie’s future is to be ready, to score goals and to work for the team.”

Okay, let’s rewrite that slightly to read: “It’s not my idea to sell him. It’s the board’s. After all, I never wanted him in the first place. It was their deal. Robbie’s future is to be ready, to score goals and to work for the team – it just won’t be Liverpool, that’s all.”
Make’s more sense, doesn’t it?

The same applies to Harry Redknapp’s comments following their 3-2 defeat at Bolton. He ruled out the possibility of Keane returning to north London, saying: “He’s a terrific player and a good lad but he belongs to Liverpool so it’s not a possibility.” Well, yes, at that stage he did belong to Liverpool but not for long.

The big question now is has it all been a waste of time and money, given that Keane went to Liverpool for £20.3 million last July? Will he come back a stronger and wiser player or will his confidence be knocked? It’s true that with Liverpool he struggled to win a place in the team and scored just five league goals in 19 appearances but fans say to be on form you need to be given the chance and not dropped at the earliest opportunity.

Keane himself says he knows a lot of Spurs fans will be very disappointed with his decision to leave the club he had served so valiantly for six years in the first place. However, as he begins his new four year deal with Tottenham, he has pledged to give his all for the club and for the fans. And well done to him for having enough guts to admit: “Leaving Spurs last summer proved not to be the right way for me.”

At least the club is already behind him and there was a boost when Spurs chairman, Daniel Levy posted this comment on Tottenham’s official website: “We never wanted Robbie to leave in the summer. We acknowledged the six years’ dedicated service he gave this club and reluctantly let him go. I am delighted he has chosen to return.”