Jurgen Klopp still expects Naby Keita to become a “key member” of his Liverpool side, according to James Pearce.
The midfielder has not featured for the Reds since picking up an injury in the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona last season, but Pearce has claimed that his manager still backs him to be a success at Anfield.
Writing in a Q&A for the Athletic, he said: “Klopp hasn’t lost faith in Keita. He still believes he will justify that big price tag and become a key member of the side.
“Keita was just starting to show his class when he got injured v Barcelona in the semi-final of the CL. Then Guinea didn’t do him any favours by rushing him back for the Africa Cup of Nations. He’s had a lot of bad luck.
“Hopefully he can put all that behind him because he gave Liverpool’s midfield a new dimension at times last season.”
OPINION
You have to feel a bit sorry for Keita. Just as he was beginning to build up a head of steam in England, he suffered the injury that has ultimately ruled him out ever since. The midfielder didn’t enjoy the best start to life at Anfield, and while it did take him a while to get up to speed, he looked as if he was getting there in the latter stages of last term. His pass completion rate of 88.5% was exemplary, as per Whoscored, and while his averages of one successful dribble and 1.5 tackles hardly set the world alight, there were at least promising signs as to what he is capable of. The fact that Klopp still believes in him is a good sign, and given the exorbitant amount of money that he cost the Reds, you would like to think that the German’s faith will be repaid at some point. Until then, it’s a waiting game, but as was proven by his aborted attempt at an African Cup of Nations campaign over the summer, patience is key.
