12 Dec 2017 19:41:09
For the first time today I watched Naby Keita for an entire game, during the Wolfsubrg vs RBL Leipzig. My feelings are a bit mixed and I would like to hear the thoughts of others. From everything I saw, he truly has world class ball control and dribbling abilities, but when it comes to passing, he either prefers running with the ball (like Can), or at times is over eager to just play one touch, pass-and-move football. This tendency, atleast during the game I was watching resulted in him squandering the ball very often. Would be interested to hear what Ed's thoughts are. Also, the formation that RBL plays is pretty different (atleast to me) and I don't know of a lot of teams playing that formation in the Premier League (4-2-2-2), so I am not sure if him just being a passenger for parts of the game is to do with the formation being played or he is just not hard-working enough.

I can certainly see why Liverpool pushed so hard for the transfer, because he can truly turn out to be a cracking player, but I believe he has some way to go and might require a fair bit of coaching and discipline to realize that world class status (unless its a situation of him being less interested in RBL this term due to his future lying elsewhere from next term) .

P. S: I think the loan is proving useful for Origi and his movement in and around the box looks so much better.

{Ed002's Note - Generally you have nailed it - although you have slipped the words “world class” in, which really isn’t the case. He has often been called out for disappearing in the more important games.}

1.) 12 Dec 2017
12 Dec 2017 19:53:24
Got to agree Ed, that as things stand he is no where close to the 'world class' bracket, but from what I have observed in tidbits and today during the entire game, he certainly possesses the qualities to be there. But to achieve that status, as it so often comes down to in football, you've GOT TO HAVE "desire and application" and I have to concur, that is missing from his game right now.

2.) 12 Dec 2017
12 Dec 2017 20:28:39
guys what you all have to understand he's 22 he's going to improve with the right coaching what we see now is be far not the finished article.

3.) 12 Dec 2017
12 Dec 2017 20:53:31
Make no mistake about it, NK is a beast of a player and his talent is unquestionable. Having said that, he is still rough around the edges as he is still 22 and has a higher ceiling for improvement. Nothing some coaching could not fix as we have seen what Klopp has done with the likes of Can, Lallana, Moreno, Bobbie, Mane, Gomez and of course, Salah.

4.) 12 Dec 2017
12 Dec 2017 21:09:45
Are we sure he's 22? He looks older.
Is it another "Rigobert Song" situation?

5.) 12 Dec 2017
12 Dec 2017 22:52:27
The same was said about Mane at Southampton, that he'd go missing in games,
He's worked out fine up till lately where the same intensity seems to have waned a bit.

Maybe I'm just been picky.

6.) 13 Dec 2017
13 Dec 2017 00:16:58
Interesting read Abba and I too have tried to watch a bit of Leipzig to see him play a bit. Like you say though they play a somewhat strange system and I don’t think the players around him are of the quality of Salah, Mane, Firmino and dare I say it Couts. With the technically gifted players we have the little flicks are more likely to come off. Also he creates space by bursting through the lines which will in turn draw defenders out which makes a ball in behind to our pacey players a much easier ball. You’ve also got the ‘is he really trying’ question which no one knows the answer to.
I also think it’s difficult for any player when they say they are leaving. The fans are quicker to jump on mistakes and criticise as they want to justify why they don’t need you anyway. As a lot have with Couts on here and other sites myself included I think it’s only natural. You split up with your bird and you say ‘I never loved her anyway’ when all along it’s tearing you up inside.
I think I’ve come to the conclusion I’ll just wait and see. I can’t believe how much Ox has improved and is improving since we signed him so whatever Naby has I’m sure we will see him improve hugely over the next few years. Being that many people I’ve spoken to tell me he was the best midfielder in the bundesliga last season that makes me excited to see what will come from him.

7.) 13 Dec 2017
13 Dec 2017 00:18:36
Lfcder

Mane is trying to hard to get back his previous form, and most likely feels under pressure due to how good salah is playing at the minute.

Mane needs to chill out and remember it's a team sport.

8.) 13 Dec 2017
13 Dec 2017 03:15:17
To all the above posters - I am in no shape or form calling out NK. I was just curious to hear from other posters if they had seen NK play often this season and if yes, what their observations were and if they were different from what I saw today. I definitely have a good feeling about him, but just a bit apprehensive, since we very easily tend to get carried away when international players are signed.
@Ings, I agree with you that having better players around him might help and I too am curious to see how things turn out when he plays in our formation where the midfield is responsible for making so much happen. My comment around the 'is he working hard enough' stemmed from the fact that so many a times during the match today I saw him just strolling around where there was a good opportunity to make a gut busting run into the box and provide support. Again, it could very well be there formation and the instructions he could have been given, but we will have to wait until next season to find out and let's just hope he lives up to the expectations and settles in as seamlessly as another African has this year :)
Also, it's a strange scenario with Mane. It seems like everything was just great until a couple of weeks ago, when he was benched for a game and since then I sense some frustration in him. Also it could very well be the Salah effect and how he (Mane) is no longer the star man of the team (which he so often was last year) . As long as he channels his competitiveness to generate healthy competition, it's all good (similar to the Suarez-Sturridge situation in 13/ 14) but if he let's this get to him, then the team might suffer.

9.) 13 Dec 2017
13 Dec 2017 03:50:42
Naby is only 22. People are expecting him to deliver world class performances on a consistent basis which is just unfair. He did not choose his price tag, LFC did and Naby deserves time to develop into a world class performer that his talent merits. Just look at Modric, Vidal, Kante who found their footing in their mid twenties.

10.) 13 Dec 2017
13 Dec 2017 06:13:47
Keita is an excellent player and will put a lot of midfielders to shame in the league. Do not worry. I don’t usually get my hopes high on Liverpool signings unless they are class above the reference line. He will boss our midfield! We need to sign a holding mid to partner him though!