Keane has yet to score in seven matches for Liverpool since his £20million summer move from Spurs.

And the fact the Republic of Ireland international only scored once in his final eight games for the north Londoners will no doubt only heighten his desire to break his duck for the Merseysiders.

His captain Steven Gerrard has no doubts the goals will soon be flying in.

"The most important goal Robbie will ever score for us will be his first one," he said.

"After that goes in then they are going to flow. He has got the full support of the fans, the boss and the lads because we see how well he is playing outside the box.

"We see the effort he is putting in selflessly for the team and we know he is too good to run dry for long.

"We believe we have got game winners all over this team, and that includes Robbie."

Gerrard, one goal short of 100 goals for the club, is aware expectation around the red half of Liverpool has hardly been dampened by last weekend's victory over champions Manchester United and Tuesday's Champions League success against Marseille in Provence.

And if Liverpool beat Stoke it will be their best start to a Premier League season after five matches, beating the 12 points they amassed back in the 1993/94 season.

But Gerrard is not foolish enough to start making wild predictions about a first title since 1990.

He added: "It's easy to get carried away at times, but it's too early to start making any sort of statements.

"I have done it in the past, when I have said we have got a chance in this or that year, only to see us fall short.

"I think we are better equipped to go closer this season, but that is as far as I will go at the moment.

"I do not want to raise anyone's expectations too high in only the second month of the season.

"The plan is to still be in with a chance with five or 10 games to go. We have to be challenging."