Liverpool new boy Robbie Keane admits he cannot wait to get the chance to play alongside Fernando Torres.
The pair that Reds fans hope will prove their dream strikeforce managed to avoid each other in the 0-0 pre-season friendly draw at Villarreal on Wednesday night.
Keane played only in the first half, and missed the best chance of the match, while Torres came on for the last 20 minutes, his first action since scoring the winner in the Euro 2008 final for Spain.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez has hinted the duo could be paired together for the first time in Saturday's friendly with Rangers in Glasgow.
Keane , who completed his Ł20million move from Tottenham just 24 hours before the Villarreal game, feels he is settling in quite well at his new club.
"I didn't get the chance to partner Fernando this time, but I am looking forward to it when it does happen," Keane told Sky Sports News.
"I'm settling in just fine and it was good to get 45 minutes under my belt with my new team-mates.
"It has been a busy few days but I feel I am settling in well. I have trained a little with the lads, got in some match action and it is going fine.
"I know I did not get to play alongside Fernando but I am sure any partnership will work well, but only time will tell.
"He's a tremendous player and it will be great to play up front alongside him. But it is up to the pair of us to make it work."
Keane added: "We haven't had much chance yet to work together, but over the next few weeks I am sure I will get to know him better, and the rest of the lads.
"It was useful to get the first game out of the way. I have only had a couple of 45-minute spells in build-up games with Spurs against lower-league opposition, so it was good to play against a good side like Villarreal. It was a good work-out for me.
"There is massive potential here. Just look at the players that were used in the first half, and then another fine bunch after the break.
"There are a lot of quality players here and I am just delighted to be amongst it all."
The game was overshadowed somewhat by the decision earlier in the day by Aston Villa to pull the plug on the Gareth Barry deal because the Anfield club had failed to meet a deadline to match the Ł18million asking price.
After the match, Benitez evaded the subject, and pointedly answered questions only with references to the match he had just witnessed.
Benitez said: "I would prefer to concentrate on the game and my squad. I was really pleased with the situation on the pitch tonight.
"Robbie Keane did well, he had every chance to score but could not manage a goal."
And when questioned again on the subject, he added: "I think we have quality in the squad and I would prefer to concentrate on the game.
"I feel the quality is improving, it is better than last season, and this match has been of benefit to the squad and for me to see several young players in action."
Naslov komentara: Keane excited by partnership 
Fri Aug 01, 2008 1:16 am
