Topic: Naby Keita Watch

[LovelyCushionedHeader]

At the moment we have 5 midfielders fighting for 3 places. Henderson and Gini looks to be certain starters.

Its a close fight between Milner and Fabinho for the final spot. If either one loses out, its almost certain he will still get to play as a substitute.

I think Keita had little chance playing in the final.

Mental.

Fabinho will be one the first names on the team sheets and definitely the first midfielder.

[harleydanger]

The three for the final will 99% be Hendo, Gini and Fab. Milner will be the first sub.

Keith would have been fighting with Gini, and probably would’ve had a good shot.

[Bjornar]

Mental.

Fabinho will be one the first names on the team sheets and definitely the first midfielder.

While my guess is also that Fabinho will be starting, Klopp's midfield starting lineups have been anything but predictable this season, so don't think anyone in that position is a certainty to be in the first eleven.

[RedForeverTT]

Mental.

Fabinho will be one the first names on the team sheets and definitely the first midfielder.

Perhaps until the tail end of this season, Henderson, Gini and Milner has always been preferred in big games.

I am all for Fab starting. Hope Klopp doesn’t go for safety first.

[El Lobo]

Perhaps until the tail end of this season, Henderson, Gini and Milner has always been preferred in big games.

I am all for Fab starting. Hope Klopp doesn’t go for safety first.

You really do talk some proper, utter wham 

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Perhaps until the tail end of this season, Henderson, Gini and Milner has always been preferred in big games.

I am all for Fab starting. Hope Klopp doesn’t go for safety first.

Couldn't be further from the truth considering Fabinho has been involved more and more as he's settled

[cipher]

The three for the final will 99% be Hendo, Gini and Fab. Milner will be the first sub.

Keith would have been fighting with Gini, and probably would’ve had a good shot.

Definitely.  Milner has been pushed down the pecking order in the second half of the season due to the form of Fabinho and Keita.  With Keita unlikely to start, an possibly play, it leaves Fabinho, Henderson and Gini as our starters.  Milner to come on later and be an important option if this goes to PK's.

[harleydanger]

Milner is strong off the bench because we need cover at fullback and he is it.

Getting 60 in with him not on the pitch will be a good thing strangely.

[clinical]

Anyone else thinking this guy is going be absolutely boss next season as well?

[DelTrotter]

Yep, was plenty of great signs in the final few months, was the best player on the pitch at the Nou Camp too until he was assaulted, just hope he's allowed to rest this summer and not going to the African nations otherwise he'll be late back, a bit behind etc.

[duvva 💅]

Definitely a lot to look forward to with Naby next season, hopefully he can pick up where he left off.

[Teacher]

Had high hopes for him when he arrived, but unfortunately it didn`t quite work out during the course of the year. Certain players simply need a bit more time to settle and get used to the Premier League/our style of play...I think that`s been the case with him. A couple of untimely injuries didn`t help his cause either.

Whilst next season isn`t exactly going to be make or break, I would like to see him play more consistently and get a good run of games in the team. In my opinion, he is a bit behind in the midfield pecking order at the moment. Henderson, Wijnaldum, Milner and Ox are all proven PL performers, and our other new player Fabinho has been immense.

I feel that Naby will have to step up a bit and show what he is capable of. There were some signs of that last season, but I think he needs to do it more often and have a bigger impact.

[soxfan]

Did the rest of you notice how absolutely overjoyed Keita was throughout the Final celebration in Madrid?

I was a tiny bit worried about his happiness vs stress levels early in 2019. He was a young man in a new country, didn't know the language, new manager, new teammates...and he was struggling on the pitch. Once Naby scored his first goals I think a great weight lifted off his shoulders.
Now he looks THRILLED to be here. So happy to see the huge smile on his face.

[WhereAngelsPlay]

Had high hopes for him when he arrived, but unfortunately it didn`t quite work out during the course of the year. Certain players simply need a bit more time to settle and get used to the Premier League/our style of play...I think that`s been the case with him. A couple of untimely injuries didn`t help his cause either.

Whilst next season isn`t exactly going to be make or break, I would like to see him play more consistently and get a good run of games in the team. In my opinion, he is a bit behind in the midfield pecking order at the moment. Henderson, Wijnaldum, Milner and Ox are all proven PL performers, and our other new player Fabinho has been immense.

I feel that Naby will have to step up a bit and show what he is capable of. There were some signs of that last season, but I think he needs to do it more often and have a bigger impact.

Before his last injury he had forced his way into the midfield.

[-Willo-]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-bxR_YrOiw

Cant stop humming along to the NK8 song after seeing it on Keita's instagram story (I think it was there?)

Shout for Keita
Shout for Salah
Shout for Mane
Shout for Liverpool!

[Teacher]

Before his last injury he had forced his way into the midfield.

Can`t honestly remember if he forced his way into the team or if it was down to rotation/injuries.

He was starting to look much better however...I hope he can continue that with a good run of games and performances when the next chance comes along.

[CraigDS]

Can`t honestly remember if he forced his way into the team or if it was down to rotation/injuries.

He was starting to look much better however...I hope he can continue that with a good run of games and performances when the next chance comes along.

Started away at Barca in CL semi, I’d argue that was a pretty good sign of him forcing his way into the side.

With regards to his celebrations - I noticed in quite a few videos he seemed pretty well liked by most of the other players (not just Mane) and was getting involved in the celebrations and not just being quite quiet - which is how he seemed when he first got here.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Hes had a stop and start season all year due to injuries but everytime hes founs rhythm he has looked good and cant wait for him to shine next season.

[Captain Kos]

Naby is immense.
Naby has the potential to be our player of the season next year. For me, he's the most likely player to change our draws into wins.

[dudleyred]

Any news on if he’s fit for African nations?

[Ghost Town]

He's got a CL Winner's Medal, and knows he can win many more going forward with this team. I'm sure that will help him settle etc

Nothing to worry about, monster season ahead

[penwhen]

Any news on if he’s fit for African nations?

According to the Echo, he's set to play in a friendly on Sunday... 

Keita set to return to action
Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita will play in Guinea’s friendly against Egypt on Sunday says their coach Paul Put.

Last month the 24-year-old suffered a groin injury against Barcelona that kept him out of the remainder of the Reds campaign.

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/liverpool-transfer-rumours-news-live-16392004

[WhereAngelsPlay]

We really need to be putting out foot down because Put couldn't make his incompetence and lack of care about his players any more obvious,he was saying that he would force him to play before we even knew the extent of the injury.

[Digger2God]

If he is not injured, I actually think it would be good for him to get more game time during AFCON. His season was so stop-start and did not get a chance to get his rhythm towards the end before he got injured again. Best case scenario would be for him to play the group games and not make it into the second round so he can make it back for the start of the season.

[dudleyred]

Tough one

Player has a responsibility too to declare himself fit/not fit

If he comes through it then all good I guess

[RainbowFlick]

I mean he was hobbling around with his CL final medal and it wasn’t cos he was drunk!

Christ. Some common sense, please, Mr Put.

[duvva 💅]

Maybe I’m being naive but wouldn’t make a lot of sense to play him in a friendly and risk a reoccurrence ahead of giving him more time so he can actually play in the tournament. I’d like to think he’ll only be risked if he’s ready, I think it’ll have been 6.5 weeks since he was injured by Sunday.

[WhereAngelsPlay]

Maybe I’m being naive but wouldn’t make a lot of sense to play him in a friendly and risk a reoccurrence ahead of giving him more time so he can actually play in the tournament. I’d like to think he’ll only be risked if he’s ready, I think it’ll have been 6.5 weeks since he was injured by Sunday.

Put thinks he is in a dick swinging contest,he doesn't really care about Naby's career or health imo.

[Filler.]

He'll be fine. Nobody will get near him.

Big call from both sides.

[sms1986]

Maybe I’m being naive but wouldn’t make a lot of sense to play him in a friendly and risk a reoccurrence ahead of giving him more time so he can actually play in the tournament. I’d like to think he’ll only be risked if he’s ready, I think it’ll have been 6.5 weeks since he was injured by Sunday.

You’re right, plus he might not even start/play.

[alvaro]

Of course Guinea are risking him, he is by far their best player. It is not good for us but this is how football is.

It works both ways, Im sure Brazil were not thrilled by Firmino being rushed into the CL final either.

[JC the Messiah]

Of course Guinea are risking him, he is by far their best player. It is not good for us but this is how football is.

It works both ways, Im sure Brazil were not thrilled by Firmino being rushed into the CL final either.

Bobby is a Liverpool employee. We pay his wages. It's not the same both ways.

[alvaro]

Bobby is a Liverpool employee. We pay his wages. It's not the same both ways.

It’s not relevant who is paying the wages in football. FIFA rules are clear.

[So… Howard Philips]

It’s not relevant who is paying the wages in football. FIFA rules are clear.

Club fans may not agree but them are the rules.

[JC the Messiah]

It’s not relevant who is paying the wages in football. FIFA rules are clear.

Not talking about the rules. You said Brazil weren't thrilled to see Bobby rushed back for the CL final. That's Liverpool's perogative, being his employer. If Brazil wanted to rush him back from an injury, Liverpool could tell them where to go.

[PaulF]

Any idea if the phenomenal starts he was posting before moving to us are improving?

[farawayred]

Not talking about the rules. You said Brazil weren't thrilled to see Bobby rushed back for the CL final. That's Liverpool's perogative, being his employer. If Brazil wanted to rush him back from an injury, Liverpool could tell them where to go.

Could not. The health of a player is assessed independently by club and country, and the decisions often diverge. While Klopp is being reasonable with players trying not to rush them because that's best for the club long-term, national coaches just need the player for two consecutive matches in a week, then they can afford to wait for him to recover for the next month round of internationals. The only thing a club can do is get financial compensation if a player gets injured on an international duty, but for the scale of the PL these are joke money.

[Peabee]

It’s not relevant who is paying the wages in football. FIFA rules are clear.

Can you force someone to play for the NT? That doesn’t sound possible.

[farawayred]

Can you force someone to play for the NT? That doesn’t sound possible.

Yes. If the national team calls a player and the player doesn't show up, the player can be fined and/or banned from club football for a period of time. The only exception is when a player retires from international football.

[JC the Messiah]

Yes. If the national team calls a player and the player doesn't show up, the player can be fined and/or banned from club football for a period of time. The only exception is when a player retires from international football.

If a player has been out injured for weeks, and is still injured according to his club, it's very, very rare that the national side would demand he travel to wherever for a fitness test.