Liverpool opinion: Reds cannot afford to offload Naby Keita

Naby Keita has struggled to adjust to life in the Premier League since his £52million move from RB Leipzig last summer. According to the Express, Liverpool are ready to take a £10million hit on their investment and sell him this summer, with Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund keen on the Guinean.

Keita has started just 12 games in the league all season and has failed to cope with Jurgen Klopp’s fast-paced counter-pressing system. Keita’s performances on the ball have been decent but his work off the ball has been disappointing.

However, the 24-year-old is a gem of a player, as evident during his days in the Bundesliga and Liverpool would be making a huge mistake if he gives up on Keita after just one season.

Jurgen Klopp needs to give him more time to settle in before making a drastic irreversible decision on his future in the summer.

Keita, in his first season in the Bundesliga, scored and assisted a combined 16 goals and was one of the stars of the RB Leipzig team. He continued his fine form in the following season where he scored 9 goals and provided 7 assists in all competitions.

A big-money move to a huge club like Liverpool at just 23 years of age could have played a part in his failure to adapt so far but that is not a reflection of the quality he possesses.

His quickness and acceleration on the ball is a phenomenal trait, especially for a central midfielder and this combined with his dribbling skills and ability to take players on is something that cannot be taught.

Glimpses of Keita’s brilliance was evident in Liverpool’s 0-0 stalemate at Anfield against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League. The Guinean ran the show from the midfield and was arguably the best player on the pitch along with Georginio Wijnaldum.

In his two full seasons in the Bundesliga, he played 58 games and boasted of remarkable numbers like 150 take-ons, 146 tackles, and 118 interceptions, 112 fouls won, 86 shots and 79 chances created. (Squawka)

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Conclusion

The above stats prove what Naby Keita is capable of and with more time and faith in him by his manager, he has the potential to be one of the best midfielders in world football. Liverpool will surely regret it if they decide to move him on this summer.