LIVERPOOL boss Rafael Benitez insists misfiring striker Robbie Keane will overcome his current crisis in form.

The £20m summer signing was substituted for the 15th time this season as Liverpool were held 0-0 at home by West Ham on Monday night.

They did take over at the top of the Barclays Premier League, but it was anything but convincing and yet another occasion when the Reds have wasted an opportunity to put clear water between themselves and their rivals.

Keane looked a frustrated figure as he trudged off the Anfield pitch, to be replaced by rookie French striker David Ngog as Liverpool were battling to break down a determined West Ham rearguard.

Keane’s latest withdrawal from the fray by Benitez brought to a head an increasingly worrying situation for the Irishman.

Benitez said: ‘‘Robbie is a better player than the one we are seeing now.’’ Keane has managed just four goals this term, and only completed 90 minutes on three occasions in 22 appearances.

He has come on as a substitute four times and been substituted 15 times.

Those statistics underline the problem for Benitez, with Keane struggling for form and confidence.

With most teams opting to defend deep and in numbers at Anfield, there is little space for a quick striker to utilise his speed.

Benitez said: ‘‘We know what kind of player Robbie Keane is. He needs people around him to pass the ball well.”