OPINION
Jurgen Klopp must truly unleash Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita by starting him against Everton on Sunday as the energetic 23-year-old could wreak havoc to see his side get the win.
The German manager opted to only use the Reds’ livewire from the bench against Paris Saint-Germain and with hindsight that clearly looks to have been a mistake.
Not only was the Reds’ midfield the weakest area of their team on Wednesday evening in their 2-1 loss to PSG, when Keita entered the game he looked far superior to some of his teammates.
The 23-year-old looked full of fight and hunger which saw him able to stroll forward with the ball for the Reds during his recent cameo appearance and actually made it seem like the Reds could get an equaliser.
Klopp can’t afford to hold Keita back for the Merseyside Derby on Sunday as he could be a potential match-winner if given the chance to impress.
Since joining the club in the summer, the talented midfielder has been unable to hold down a regular place in Klopp’s starting line-up but there is no better match to prove your worth to Liverpool than a clash with their local rivals Everton.
The 23-year-old could easily stake his claim for guaranteed first-team status by excelling against the Toffees, and it’s an opportunity Klopp must allow him after watching his brief appearance against PSG.
Keita has only made nine league appearances this season, completing 90 minutes on only one occasion, and deserves a chance to show everyone what he has got what it takes to succeed at Anfield.
The midfielder has the creative vision, pace, power and enthusiasm to cause the Toffees’ problems and Marco Silva won’t necessarily prepare his side to face the 23-year-old.
Therefore Klopp must hand Keita his opportunity to be a first-team regular by allowing him to successfully stake his claim by truly unleashing him against Everton on Sunday.
