my liverpool fc

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has leaped to the defence of Robbie Keane after claiming his under-fire team-mate was a genuine contender for the man-of-the-match award against Everton. Keane's strike partner Fernando Torres was handed the accolade after his two goals shot down neighbours Everton in the first Merseyside derby of the season on Saturday. The Republic of Ireland striker has come in for criticism after failing to find the net in ten appearances since joining the Reds in an £18million deal from Spurs during the summer. But Gerrard claims Keane's all-round performances are proof that he is making an effective transition into his new surroundings. He said: "I know Nando was class but Robbie was an equally genuine contender for the man-of-the-match award. "We got in the dressing room and I sat by him and said: 'you were magnificent', because he deserves that praise for a great, unselfish performance. "It was terrific and showed why the manager invested so much money in him."