OPINION
New Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita was not short of praise from pundits after his impressive Premier League debut against West Ham on Sunday.
The Evening Standard report that the Reds’ new arrival did not take long to unleash his full potential on boss Jurgen Klopp, impressing the Anfield coaching staff on just his fifth day as a Liverpool player.
Klopp was undoubtedly not surprised when this happened, as he reaped the rewards of this talent in Liverpool’s opening clash with the Hammers.
The 23-year-old was introduced to a four-sided game in training at the start of July during pre-season which involved ‘players tightly packed into a square pitch and needing to complete six passes before scoring in one of four nets, with the emphasis on close control, passing under pressure and winning the ball back as quickly as possible.’
Keita was the pick of the bunch during this game, demonstrating to everyone what a top-class player they have on their hands.
He has already been hailed by numerous pundits for his ability to control the midfield, and that praise is just going to keep on coming if he continues his current form.
Klopp obviously knew what type of player he was buying when he swooped for Keita, and his pre-existing knowledge of him was only enhanced during this training session.
The Reds’ scouting team have done a stellar job in scouring the market for the rare gem that is Keita, and Klopp must be secretly grinning from ear to ear after negotiating a deal for a player he knew would light up the Premier League.
It must be a jaw-dropping prospect for Klopp that Keita will only get better with age – and he must have himself and his staff to thank for finding such a gifted player.
