Phil Babb knows a thing or two about strikers — he’s taken on some of the best in the world while playing for Liverpool and the Republic of Ireland.

So he is in the perfect position to judge a goalscoring talent and in his fellow countryman Robbie Keane, Babb is convinced the Reds would have a superb player on their hands should the Tottenham star make the move to Anfield.

In fact, Babb rates lightening quick Keane so highly that he believes the Dubliner could be as popular on the Kop as home-town hero Robbie Fowler — and equally as dangerous in front of goal.

Reports this week have suggested that a £20million bid is about to be made — just a few million less than Liverpool paid for Fernando Torres last season — and Babb is already salivating at the thought of those two linking up.

“I would really love to see Robbie Keane sign for Liverpool, I think he would be a firm favourite at Anfield,” he said.

“He is such a skillful player; quick and with the ability to get the fans on their feet.

“I would go as far as to say that he would be the closest thing Liverpool will have had since Robbie Fowler in his heyday.

“Robbie (Fowler) had that abil

ity to get in behind defenders; he could score tap ins or from long range — Keane can do that too.

“They’ve got a good deal out of Crouch (moving to Portsmouth) so there is money there and hopefully they spend it on bringing in Keane and Gareth Barry.”

Babb added: “Barry would be another good signing. he’s progressed a lot in the past few years and his confidence is high after breaking into the England set-up.

“It takes a special kind of player to play in the Premier League. You have to adapt to the pace and the temperament.

“I think that’s why Rafa (Benitez) has been targeting players who have been playing in the Premier League for a long time.

“It’s not that they are necessarily British or Irish, I think it’s more the fact that they know what to expect.

“I hope Rafa does bring them

both in. This is what the fans want during pre-season.

“They want to see new players, see pictures of them in their new shirt and get their names on the back of it. It’s what the summer is all about and both Gareth and Robbie would be enough to excite the Liverpool fans.”

Babb is in Northern Ireland as part of the Legends XI Tour, making his eleven-a-side ‘masters’ debut this week before gearing up for tomorrow’s Belfast Cup.

The Reds will take on a Glen

toran Legends side with the winners of that going on to fight for the trophy against the winners of Manchester United v Linfield.

Babb is a relative newcomer to the circuit and so far he is enjoying it immensely.

“It’s been great,” he said. “I’ve played a bit of indoor stuff in the Masters but never eleven-a-side and although I’m feeling it in the legs a bit more, I’m really enjoying it.

“It’s great to renew old friendships and hopefully more and

more players will join us after seeing what it is like on the tours.

“I’d love to see Jamie Redknapp joining up — obviously he’s a bit busy with Sky — but Steve McManaman is coming over for the Belfast Cup, Jason McAteer and Neil Ruddock are here from my era and we are all hoping that maybe next year Robbie Fowler will come on board.”

The Belfast Cup kicks off at the Oval at 11:30am with Liverpool playing Glentoran.

Manchester United’s legends

play Linfield at 12:45pm and the 3rd/4th place play-off will be at 1:45pm with the final due to commence at 4pm.

The time of the final was brought forward by organisers Growsport, so as to make it into tomorrow’s last ever edition of Ireland’s Saturday Night.