Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane will accept judgement on his Liverpool career at the end of the season but for now could do without external commentary on his future. The former Tottenham striker's equaliser against Arsenal yesterday silenced the Emirates crowd and he hopes it will also mute the speculation over an Anfield exit.

It was only his third Barclays Premier League goal since his €22million summer move from White Hart Lane.

Last week there was considerable confusion about a supposed conversation at a social function between former Liverpool star Mark Lawrenson and current captain Steven Gerrard over Keane's future.

Lawrenson initially suggested there was a belief Keane could be sold in the January transfer window. Gerrard and Liverpool adamantly denied that interpretation of the discussion.

Lawrenson later claimed that it was his own personal view, and not Gerrard's, but the damage had been done and Keane's future was again put under the spotlight.

After scoring at the Emirates, Keane told liverpoolfc.tv: "I am not frustrated at all (by the speculation).

"I suppose the only thing is that I sometimes get frustrated by is when people outside the football club are talking about things to do with me, because they are trying to create something that is not there.

"I have already said that I know I will score goals for this club and I would prefer to be judged at the end of this season, not in December."

Keane's goal against Arsenal was his fifth for the club in all competitions, and it cancelled out Robin van Persie's opener for the Gunners.

The goal came at the perfect time for the former Spurs captain who had come in for plenty of abuse from the Gunners fans before his goal.

"For me, it is always nice to score against Arsenal especially as I had been getting a little bit of stick before the goal," he said. "I suppose that was always going to happen with me being a former Tottenham player so it was sweet for me to score against them.

"But it's always nice to score a goal, particularly when it means you get back into the game."