Robbie Keane's "Loan" to Liverpool Costs the Scousers £4.5 million per goal!

So another English Transfer window has come and gone - with deadline day once again proving as dramatic as ever. Even the intervention of a British economy in turmoil and some extreme snowy weather has seemingly proved a help rather than hindrance to English football's January sales, with many big moves across the country occurring within the FA's officially sanctioned extension of the transfer deadline. Arsenal's announcement of their final hour "extra time" transfer of £15 million Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin will no doubt dominate tomorrow's headlines, but please spare a thought for another deadline day move that will surely incense those suffering in the financial crisis gripping the UK even more: Robbie Keane's outrageous return to Tottenham. Now I'm no wall street banker, but selling a player that cost the club £20.3 million 6 months previously for £12 million (plus the small matter of a weekly wage reputed to be as high as £90,000 per week) does not seem to be a great financial move in today's troubled climate. After making just 19 appearances and netting just 5 times for Liverpool, I would conservatively estimate that each of those goals will have cost the Reds in the region of £4.5 million PER GOAL! Rafa has spoken out this evening on his apparent justification for such a waste of transfer kitty. However, it seems that this is just another step towards the Liverpool boss finally losing his marbles.

Liverpool Frustrated by Defiant Hammers

Monday night's English Football action saw The Hammers visit fortress Anfield for a Premiership fixture that would see The Reds pull away from title rivals Chelsea at the Premier league summit if they could claim victory against Zola's East Londoners. After Chelsea's defeat at the hands of Arsenal the day before, Rafa's Reds must have been fancying their chances against a West Ham side in a poor run of league form. However, the East Enders were boosted by the return of key players from injury. After a frankly dire 90 minutes of football, and for the third time this season, Gerrard and co found it hard to break down a visiting side that had arrived at Anfield setting their stall out to simply defend and stem the flow of the red tide. After a dismal 0 - 0 draw against Stoke earlier in the season, the reds once again found that £20 million striker Robbie Keane struggled against a stalwart Hammers defensive display. Indeed, the latest football banter coming from Anfield suggests that Rafa may already be seeking a replacement in the January transfer window for the misfiring Irishman, with Wigan's Emile Heskey and Newcastle's Michael Owen supposedly in the frame. So what do you think? Is Benitez set to strengthen in January? Is Robbie Keen feeling the inevitable weight of expectation associated with playing for a big four club? Please share your thoughts on the latest football banter here.