Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp has revealed in the Daily Mail how Jurgen Klopp’s “eyes lit up” when he spoke to him about midfielder Naby Keita after the demolition of West Ham.
The central enforcer made his debut for Liverpool on Sunday afternoon after arriving earlier this summer from Bundesliga club RB Leipzig, playing a key part in the Reds’ 4-0 thrashing of West Ham in their season opener.
The pundit appeared to be throughly impressed by the exploits of the Guinea international in his column for the newspaper’s website, praising the star’s pace and technical ability during his first game for the club.
He wrote: “We’ve waited almost a year to see Naby Keita in the Premier League but boy was he worth the wait. I knew he was an aggressive player but by taking the No 8 shirt which has been vacant since Steven Gerrard left Liverpool three years ago, Keita proved before a ball was even kicked that he does not shy away from a challenge.
“He is unlike any Liverpool midfielder in the Premier League era. Keita is a pocket rocket brimming with pace and energy but also blessed with technical ability. When I spoke to Jurgen Klopp after the game, his eyes lit up at every mention of his new midfielder. He clearly rates him incredibly highly and knows just how important he can be in taking Liverpool to the next level.”
The Reds originally made an agreement for a move for Keita in 2017, who moved to the club earlier this summer.
OPINION
Naby Keita has left everyone in his wake after his stellar performance for Liverpool yesterday afternoon. Some players take a while to make a solid impact on their team, but Keita looked like he had been playing for Liverpool for years based on his display. The way he linked up with players during the match – namely Sadio Mane – shows just how effective he is going to be in the midfield over the course of the season. No wonder Klopp’s “eyes lit up” when Redknapp spoke to him after the match – he is obviously excited by the potential impact he can make on the team. Liverpool fans have been waiting for someone to fill the number eight shirt left by Gerrard, and it looks like Klopp may have find him in the shape of Keita. He could not have had a better debut for the club, and the exciting thing is, he is only going to get better and better.
