Lee hails Keane's 'immense' impact

The Republic of Ireland international scored twice in the 3-0 destruction of Bolton on Boxing Day, adding to the stunning equaliser he netted at Arsenal last weekend.

Those goals have wiped away the doubts and criticism of the 28-year-old, who now has seven goals for the season.

After Albert Riera had put Liverpool on the way to victory, it was Keane's clinical finishing which meant there was no doubt they would stay top of the Premier League.

Lee, still standing in for boss Rafael Benitez, who was in the directors' box after recovering from a kidney stones operation, was full of praise for Keane.

He said: "Robbie Keane scored twice, that's terrific, but I just like seeing any Liverpool player scoring goals.

"Keane, Kuyt, Hyypia, I don't mind, just as long as they are Liverpool goals.

"We don't feel that Robbie has been out of form, despite what people keep saying.

"He has been working hard, 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.

"I do not feel he has ever lacked confidence here, he has kept going and done well.

"We have had no doubts in Robbie's ability or his work-rate, and what he adds to this club is immense.

"We know the quality of the boy, we know what he is capable of and what he is doing for us and what he adds to the club. There is no problem with him here."

Bolton boss Gary Megson saw, in his words, his team "cut apart like a knife through butter".

Bolton had won three of their previous five league games, but were never in with a shout at Anfield.

Megson said: "That was a very disappointing result. We had set out to keep things tight early on, and hoped to catch them on the break.

"But we only troubled them in the opening few minutes. I was concerned by the manner of the goals we conceded.

"One came straight from one of our own corners, it went from their 'keeper to the back of our net in about six seconds. To concede a goal like that is not acceptable at this level.

"We set up to flood midfield with players, but changed that system when it clearly wasn't working.

"But we did not want to play 4-4-2 at Anfield, because Liverpool go through you like a knife through butter when you do that.

"And that is what happened a few times in the second half when we did try to push more men forward."