Liverpool's Robbie Keane burgled

(GETTY IMAGES)

Robbie Keane has become the latest Liverpool player to fall victim to burglars, sources said today.

The Republic of Ireland striker's penthouse apartment was broken into while he was away on international duty for his country's 2-1 win over Georgia on Saturday.

The thieves sneaked into the flat he shares with model wife Claudine, 25, and are believed to have stolen an expensive watch and jewellery.

Keane, 28, had been using the city centre property in Liverpool while he searched for a home after his £20million move from Tottenham.

Over the past two years six Anfield stars, including Steven Gerrard and former Red Peter Crouch, have been burgled while playing.

Dirk Kuyt's home in the Woolton district of the city was burgled in November last year after he had left Liverpool to join up with the Dutch squad for their match against Luxembourg. Thieves broke into the homes of striker Peter Crouch and the defender Daniel Agger as both took on Galatasaray in a Champions League match in 2006 and the goalkeeper Pepe Reina had his house ransacked while his penalty saves were helping Liverpool to beat Chelsea to reach the Champions League final in May.

Liverpool offered their players a house-sitting service while they are away from the city after earlier attacks. Jerzy Dudek's home was burgled in June 2006 while he was on holiday in his native Poland. He, like Reina, lost a Porsche and jewellery. The Everton winger Andy van der Meyde was burgled twice last year.

In December 2006, a man was jailed for two and a half years for the Dudek raid and seven other burglaries at Liverpool and Everton players' homes.