This weekend saw the return of top level domestic football across Europe after the international break, as well as the first games since the end of the transfer window.
And so, amongst other things, the return to action meant that it was the first time midfielder Naby Keita was playing for Red Bull Leipzig since it being confirmed he would be a Liverpool player from next summer.
Indeed, when it was announced there was natural excitement after he’d been a prime target for this window and, after Leipzig’s 2-0 win over Hamburg on Friday, that excitement is well founded.
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For sure, we already knew that Keita was an explosive box-to-box midfielder – hence the reason Jurgen Klopp wanted him so badly – but his latest display really underlined just how well he could fit into the side.
Some classy touches in tight areas of the pitch highlighted his ability to work in those combinations our attacking movements so often utilise whilst his forward thinking was the real showpiece of his performance.
As soon as he got the ball he’d be aiming to play it forward and, if not on the ball, he’d be bombing on trying to join in with the attack in the box.
And, when he got a sight of goal from outside of the box, he certainly showed he’s got a strike on him with a fine drive with his left foot.
The Reds possess great options in the middle of the park but perhaps lack a goal-scorer that’s going to chip in and it seems as though Keita will improve those figures.
Naby Keita Watch Rating: 8/10
