He said
"He was probably our best player against Bolton"
"Players at this club will always get a chance and while they are a part of this club they will always be considered. If Liam wants to catch himself on, that's up to him.
"But I have to look at the bigger picture and that's the overall welfare of Sunderland Football Club. I set high standards but that's what this club needs."
Meanwhile Millers agent Eamon McLoughlin has hit back at Keanes treatment of his client and told local paper the Northern Echo
"Wednesday's decision by the club is very disappointing. We accept that Liam was late three times in the past week but on two of those occasions the situation was out of his control.
"One of these was a well-publicised accident on the A19. The implication is that Liam is indisciplined and not fully committed to his job at Sunderland.
"I do not want to start a public row with the manager but I can't let that pass. Liam is not unprofessional and I think people who know him know that.
"In 18 months at the club Liam has been late seven times in total, but most are by a matter of minutes. The worst case was half an hour last season."