Keane predicts upturn in fortunes

Robbie Keane is determined to haul Tottenham out of the bottom three and prove they can mix with the Premier League's top four…

Robbie Keane is determined to haul Tottenham out of the bottom three and prove they can mix with the Premier League's top four when facing Liverpool tomorrow.

Spurs were expected to compete for Champions League qualification but have just one win in their eight league games so far, with boss Martin Jol in the spotlight after the club invested more than £30million in the summer.

Jol defends his record against the 'big four' - he has only defeated Chelsea - but there is a perception of the Dutchman struggling against the elite.  It is something Republic of Ireland striker Keane wants to put right at Anfield.

"That's what we want to achieve, to beat the top four sides," said Keane, Jol's skipper in the absence of injured Ledley King.  "We've always done well up there but we've never got over the hurdle to actually win the game.

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"But we go there with confidence after playing well against Bolton away, we lost it a bit against Villa but in the last half-hour we did very well.  If we cut out the goals and not concede we have every chance.

"Liverpool are a good side but I look at Liverpool and look at our squad and feel it is very similar."

After losing to Arsenal three weeks ago it was suggested Jol would have until the next international break to save his job, and Spurs are unbeaten since without being totally convincing.

Keane's own form has been fine, with four goals in his last five appearances, but his strike against Anorthosis Famagusta on Thursday saved Spurs from defeat on the night against the Cypriot minnows.

The 27-year-old's penalty against Aston Villa last Monday was part of the crazy comeback where Spurs snatched a point from the jaws of defeat.

Keane added: "We've played well in a lot of the games, we just haven't been able to hold on to games and that's what we need to do. With the players we have we're capable of doing it and it's only a matter of time."