05 Apr 2019 10:13:05
Question for ed001 if possible,

I was curious about Keita. He's had a full season to adapt to the UK and seems to have really struggled. On the pitch he's not really shown that he can bring anything new or different to the team, which I assume was the purpose for buying him.

I'm sure that his lack of integration with the other players off the pitch and him not bothering to learn English are at least two key things.

My question is will Liverpool look to sell in the summer or does Klopp still feel he can coax something out of him?

Thanks.

{Ed001's Note - I expect him to stay. He was very close friends with Mane, it was hoped that would make him buck up his ideas. He won't be given for ever to sort his head out though.}


1.) 05 Apr 2019
05 Apr 2019 11:37:32
I was really excited with the news we had finally agreed a deal for naby and was expecting him to have had a better season than he's having so far. I just cannot believe, if as pointed out by ed01 he has a poor attitude why he wouldn't grasp the chance he has with both hands. He has so much potential and so many positive attributes it would be such a waste of talent. Fingers crossed he pulls his finger out, so to speak.


2.) 05 Apr 2019
05 Apr 2019 11:43:59
"Was" ed? Or am I reading too much into that sentence?

{Ed001's Note - no you're not. They are certainly not as close as they had been at RBS. Mane has grown up, Keita has not yet done so.}


3.) 05 Apr 2019
05 Apr 2019 13:15:24
Something doesn't seem right with him, its almost like his not even trying. I really hope he comes good.


4.) 05 Apr 2019
05 Apr 2019 13:52:35
Ed, thanks for the reply.
Makes me a bit sad tbh. For Keita. i know he has his baggage (described by ed002 previous) . Maybe we forget at times these guys might be millionaires but still are young kids in a foreign land.
Doing it with the expectations and then also not being as close with who may have been your guy once you arrive must be tough.
Hopefully things will get better for him and then - for him in the Liverpool team.

{Ed001's Note - it is his own fault, he has not made the efforts needed to get on. He had a year before joining to learn the language, it has now been nearly two years, and yet he has not bothered. For me that should have been written into his contract and should be included in all future contracts that a player has to learn English. You don't want a player being an Antonio Valencia and never bothering, it is not good for team spirit.}


5.) 05 Apr 2019
05 Apr 2019 14:12:18
I read an interview by Mane today on the LFC website that states that Naby is a regular visitor to Mane's house, so they must still be at least civil to each other. From Mane's comments there doesn't appear to be any falling out or anything. But, hey, who knows?

{Ed001's Note - as close mate, I never said they were not friends, just not like they were. They were completely inseparable, best mates who did everything together. Mane now has other friends, they have not fallen out, they are just not as close.}


6.) 05 Apr 2019
05 Apr 2019 19:04:24
Well he's starting tonight. Let's all hope he does the team proud.


7.) 06 Apr 2019
06 Apr 2019 03:27:49
geez, started a fire under the worry worts there ed1. . .
keita will come right. I hope he'll come right, I don't think he's been a pile poo this season. So not a giant leap towards filling his potential with us. Mane is also older. ed1, for different reasons wouldn't you say Keita needs to mature just like Mane to improve his game?

{Ed001's Note - exactly what he needs.}


8.) 06 Apr 2019
06 Apr 2019 10:20:46
Let's hope the goal last night inspires him to have a big end to the season minimum of 7 matches left this season let's go and smash them.


9.) 08 Apr 2019
08 Apr 2019 14:14:52
Thanks for the reply ed. I got super busy so didn't read this until now.

I work as a psychologist in US sports and one of the first requirements of the teams I work with for incoming foreign players is to learn English.

Interestingly I consulted for a German Bundesliga team a couple of years ago and speaking English was also a requirement there too as it's considered a universal language which will benefit players wherever they go.

It really surprises me how often teams don't enforce a rule of players speaking the native language. It's pretty vital for team integration and communication and in my professional opinion I've advised it's not a good idea to simply have a couple of players speaking the same language as an incoming player because it creates cliques and tension.

Thanks again for the reply ed.

{Ed001's Note - this is the first time I have known of a Liverpool player not being required to speak English. Normally it is enforced strictly. I wonder if there is more to it with Keita, it is possible he just struggles with it and so there is not being pressure put on him because of that.}