Keegan delighted with Fowler form

Keegan, who like Fowler was also once the hero of an adoring Kop, feels that the Toxteth-born striker is now fully fit and rearing to go after several injury-hit years blighted a career seemingly set for the very top.

Keegan said: "A lot of people have knocked Robbie Fowler since we signed him but what they have ignored is his lack of fitness," Keegan said after the match.

"He was way off fitness when he arrived but he came back early for pre-season training because he knew he needed to do more to get up to the level he needed to be at.

"His work has paid off because I don't think he ran as much when he was 18. What we have always known about him is that he will score goals. You can lose confidence and fitness but if you are a world-class finisher you don't lose that."