Match of the Day pundit Ian Wright has gushed over Naby Keita’s performance against West Ham United on Sunday, labelling him as “top drawer.”
In his column for the Sun, the former Arsenal striker stated how the 5’8″ [Transfermarkt] passmaster was “absolute dynamite”, while also tipping him as an early favourite for the Player of the Year.
The 23-year-old, who Wright says manager Jurgen Klopp was desperate to sign, played a key role in the Reds’ 4-0 thrashing of the Hammers on Sunday afternoon, and the former Arsenal man could not have been more impressed by his exploits.
“Jurgen Klopp was so desperate to sign Naby Keita for Liverpool that he slapped down the deposit 12 months ago and was prepared to wait a year before he had him in a red shirt,” he wrote in his piece for the Sun.
“On Sunday you could see exactly why, because this guy was absolute dynamite. The positions he took up, his distribution, tackling and strength, everything was top drawer.
“You won’t win Player of the Year on one performance, but as markers go it could hardly have been more impressive.”
OPINION
Wright has every right to be gushing over Keita’s performance on Sunday, as he certainly ran the proceedings in the midfield. The West Ham midfielders could not get near him, and that puts down an excellent marker for the rest of the season. After one match, it may be too soon to label him as a candidate for player of the year – but if he carries on like he did the other day, he will sweep aside the competition. Klopp waited a year to bring the Guinea international to Anfield, but that wait was most certainly worth it after Keita rewarded his desperation on Sunday – with him as one of the kingpins in the side, Liverpool will challenge Manchester City all the way for the title. However, it would not be surprising if at the end of the season, other clubs came sniffing around him, especially those in Europe – and Klopp must do all he can to hang onto him if this is the case.
