Dietmar Hamann has claimed that Naby Keita ‘will never make it as a Liverpool player’ following a mixed performance for the Reds during their 3-2 victory against Atletico Madrid.
The Guinean international registered a spectacular goal against the Spanish giants to double the lead in the first-half but was adjudged to have been at fault for Antoine Griezmann’s two efforts in response.
This comes from Pundit Arena, with the German telling RTE Sport: “He’s in his fourth season now, and he scored a brilliant goal. And then five minutes later he makes a mistake for the first goal and then a mistake for the next goal.”
“He is simply not good enough for Liverpool, he will never make it as a Liverpool player.
“He wants to play with the ball but he’s not good enough to play with it.
“If you are in the centre of midfield you have got to do two jobs – attack and defend.”
The former RB Leipzig midfielder was replaced after the half-time break, with Jurgen Klopp subbing on Fabinho to stabilise the midfield.
There can be no questioning the fact that we gained more control in the middle of the park following the Brazilian international’s introduction to the field of play.
However, to say that Keita was entirely at fault for the goals conceded may be somewhat wide of the mark.
Given how impressive the 26-year-old has largely been for us this term, it seems a bit harsh on Hamann’s part to completely dismiss the player.
At least he never crashed his car while drunk, ran away and then lied about it. Hamaan was a good player but he is a comment for hire bloke these days. Naby had a good game and scored a lovely goal. He went missing along with three other payers for the second goal. He should not have been left one on one at the corner. Milner was poor, VVD was well below par and Hendo allowed their midfield to pass him by on ocassion. Still, ignore that and the generally ragged performance after Naby was subbed.
Yes Naby was found wanting defensively on a couple of occasions which were both costly. Perhaps that is the side of his game Klopp and the coaching team need to work on. He clearly has some issues in this area to iron out. Rewind to our game against Real Madrid last season when he was hauled off for similar issues. However, I also do think that he is slowly improving this season and Didi is a tad harsh on the lad. I recall Didi himself in 2017 advocating for us to buy Keita even if he cost 70 mil so a little rich to be hyper critical in this manner. He needs support and there is definitely a player in there.
Well said mate
It is clear that Keita can not have mainly defensive responsibilities. He doesn’t have the attributes for that. However, in a formation with Fab and Hendo or Thiago in he can easily play the more advanced MF position! He presses well from the front, wins balls , can dribble and can score from outside the box which hardly any other Liverpool player can.. so he certainly is useful. When he is paired with Milner who was understandably exposed for pace last nite and only Hendo behind him it was asking for trouble! Don’t know why Klopp didn’t start Fab but he corrected the mistake at HT. So to say that Keita has no future is lazy commentary. Like most players he has pros and cons and manager must use him where he is contributing. He is NOT Gini and never will be but he definitely can bring to the table as the most advanced MF leading the press close to Firmino and popping in around the box for cracks at goal.