Liverpool fans call for Naby Keita to step up

Finally, Liverpool received some positive injury news following the catastrophic loss of Virgil van Dijk after Naby Keita was photographed again in training on Monday afternoon.

The Guinean international missed the Liverpool derby in Merseyside with Everton after testing positive for COVID-19 during the international break.

Keita, 25, has recovered after receiving a negative COVID-19 test result and has been cleared to begin training and is available for selection, and Jurgen Klopp is hopeful that No. 8 can stand against Ajax tomorrow night.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 28: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal and Naby Keïta of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on September 28, 2020 in Liverpool, UK. Sports stadiums across the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, as government social distancing laws prohibit fans within venues, causing games to be played behind closed doors. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA / Getty Images)

Prior to Everton’s setback, Keita had been named to Liverpool’s Premier League starting eleven six times in a row, his best streak for the team since joining the club in 2018.

One of the reasons Keita’s return to fitness is a timely boost is that it comes just days before Liverpool kick off their Champions League campaign in Amsterdam on Wednesday.

The midfielder will be needed after the injuries suffered by Van Dijk and Thiago Alcantara. The latter suffered a knee injury after a terrible tackle by Richarlison. Luckily for the Spaniard, the injury is not considered too serious and Thiago could return sooner rather than later.

However, Van Dijk’s injury that could end the season, coupled with Joel Matip’s physical setback, means that Fabinho will likely be forced to take cover as a central defender leaving two positions in midfield from Saturday currently vacant.

Klopp should feel comfortable putting his trust in Keita and selecting him as a starter in the Dutch capital.

Fans call for Keita to be brought in

In this freak season, I wonder if #lfc enter normal rotation mode for December starting on Wednesday.
5 or 6 field changes in each game.
I can see Tsimikas, Milner, Wijnaldum, Keita, Jota and Minamino all starting against Ajax

– Dan Kennett (@DanKennett) October 19, 2020

Keita returns for the Ajax match
Thiago not ruled out

This are good news #LFC pic.twitter.com/WqP7Ld94yg

– Gas… .. (@GasLFC) October 19, 2020

Updated XI vs Ajax:

Adrian

TAA – Fab – Gomez – Robbo

Keita – Hendo – Wij

One – Mane – Jota

– Martin (@LFCMartin_) October 19, 2020

Naby Keita has to step up now more than ever, it needs to be that goal threat from midfield, with Firmino barely able to hit the barn door, we need goals from elsewhere and our big chance is Naby. #LFC

-. 🇩🇰 (@ Aszneee96) October 20, 2020

I wouldn’t be surprised to see #Jurgen Set up a Matip / Gomez / Fab butt three. However, fringe guys like Keita, Ox, Taki and Jones need to step up this season. #LFC

– Rahul Puri (@rahulpuri) October 20, 2020

Absolutely not haha.

Keita is perfect for klopp soccer. I’m not so worried

– Caleb Radford (@CalebRadfordLFC) October 19, 2020

People say that Gómez and Matip must step forward. Naby Keita now needs to step up and have the season of her life. He can help the defense enormously with his ball holds. Stop it at the source. Season of his life pending….

– ThiagoElMago (@Thiago_el_mago) October 19, 2020

So where does it fit best?

This, of course, is Klopp’s biggest dilemma. The absence of Thiago and Fabinho adds greater defensive responsibilities for Keita, something that we know does not highlight the player’s best qualities.

With Fabinho likely tucked into the defensive quartet, Keita will surely join Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum in the coach’s midfield trident against Ajax.

Keita represents Liverpool’s best source of attack to bond with the club’s three pedigree forwards and will seek to evoke a performance similar to the one he did against Arsenal last month.

As a unit, the midfield three were exemplary both on and off the ball, dispelling any previous concerns that Liverpool would suffer without the presence of Henderson and Thiago.

Keita, who cost the Reds £ 54 million [Guardian] he persistently sought to break up counterattacks or prepare the three forwards for a forward move. It was a complete performance by the former RB Leipzig talisman who is slowly becoming one of Liverpool’s biggest players.

He made two shots of which neither was on target, he made a key pass, had a passing accuracy of 98%, higher than any other Liverpool player, took 56 touches, tried a dribble and made two crosses according to WhoScored.

The dilemma for Keita and Klopp is that we haven’t seen performances like this enough for an extended period. This is something that must change, especially in the absence of Van Dijk, who takes Fabinho out of his preferred position.

There are no easy decisions for Klopp from this point on, but it looks like players like Keita will need to add another 10 percent to their overall game if Liverpool are to prosper in the absence of the club’s most transformative signing in the PL era.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 28: (SUN OUT, THE SUN ON DOMING OUT) Naby Keita of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on September 28, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Sports stadiums across the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, as government social distancing laws prohibit fans within venues, causing games to be played behind closed doors. (Photo by John Powell / Liverpool FC via Getty Images)