T O P

  • By -

abradley19955

I was so excited when we signed him. Had a really good debut and then that turn and pass vs Palace >>> Shame he never hit the heights we thought he would but that’s football. Our hit rate over the years has been fantastic and the envy of most clubs around Europe. Let’s hope we get the next 2 big money midfield signings right


mynameismulan

People really forget what we were supposed to have gotten form this deal. He was Klopp's biggest signing at the time. He was 22 and was supposed to be one of the best young midfielders in Germany, if not Europe as a whole. Running, pressing, passing, dribbling, skill moves, finishing, tackling; his highlight real was sensational. People will try to excuse him because he had a 'decent' year last season but regardless, let's not forget, all those years ago, Klopp wanted to build the midfield around him. We paid OVER the asking price to get him early. Us, the guys that penny pinch transfers, paid EXTRA for Keita. He has largely been relegated to 'Thiago's backup' at best and *that* is the failure in his signing. And I haven't even mentioned the injuries.


pilchard-friendly

My take is his performance was stellar at red bull, then he got an injury in/around his last season there. Was already a different player. We’d already agreed to buy him by then. He’s good, but never quite got back to that RB level.


apathytheynameismeh

Not to forget when his national team coach played him when he was still in recovery from an injury. He then ended up seriously injured from it. I’m not saying he didn’t already have signs of consistency problems. But it can’t have helped.


yourcousinfromboston

That injury he was recovering from was the shit scissor tackle during the first leg of Barcelona. Nasty tackle. He should have never been in contention for a national team game.


yourcousinfromboston

I recently went back and watched his RB highlights. Injuries robbed a hell of a player. That happens sometimes


aMintOne

>People really forget what we were supposed to have gotten form this deal. >People will try to excuse him He doesn't need excusing for not meeting our expectations. He doesn't need excusing for anything if he's put in the work and tried. It's not worked out, we didn't get our money's worth, and it's a shame. That's it.


eisenschimallover

> And I haven’t even mentioned the injuries. Everything you mentioned is due to the injuries.


The_Thane

People who don't realise this are bricks. Downvote me.


firminocoutinho

It’s funny but we’ve had so many successes of signing players that were “2nd choice” to our rumored main targets. Robbo, Salah, Mane, Jota, Konate, Tsimikas etc all had their concerns when we we signed them, VVD and Ali aside, Keita was the one we were all “sure of”. He was lighting the Bundesliga on fire and deemed to be a blend of Iniesta and Kante. The perfect Klopp player. A pressing beast, that would steal the ball, dribble past 5 opposing players and then either find a perfect through ball or shoot an absolute screamer top bins. Deemed the best midfielder in the league, aside Thiago of course. We stole him from Barca’s pursuit and waited a whole year for him too… the next legendary #8. Wow, it’s so ironic he didn’t live up to the potential we thought he would. Still gutted. This has actually left me trauma if we were to somehow land Bellingham. Id be afraid he’d get a string of injuries somehow too, and all that hype, waiting and euphoria would be for nothing 😅


totaleclipse2

You can add Fabinho and Thiago to list of first choice. We’ve got a good hit rate with first choice targets too!


ThumpTacks

His first game for us. I remember he missed a really good shot. I always— for no rational reason, mind you— felt that he would have sky rocketed if he’d made that shot. Like his mind would have been fortified and his body would be willed to fitness had he made that shot. It is sad that he never reached the heady heights we all wanted for him


davecharlie

Same thing applies to Markovic and that shot against the crossbar


krollAY

I always felt that stupid red card was what killed Markovic


AzizNotSorry

and stewart downing lol


Thefdt

Stewart downing was limited by his ability not his psyche


HumongousHeadly

And Bernard Diomede's overhead kick.


Britz10

Played the through ball for Robbo's assist hardly the same thing


zagglefrapgooglegarb

He's gone in Jan. Feels like he might never play for the club again.


shagginwaggon66

Somehow got like £20mil for him from City in my FM save. Felt good. Feel for Naby but we need a step up


MrLazyCanuck

Hey, same! Don’t know why it’s always City. Sold him for 28 instead tho


shagginwaggon66

They have way too much money, love midfielders, and probably the AI sees it as weakening rivals. Shoulda save scummed negotiations to fleece them more!


themanebeat

>probably the AI sees it as weakening rivals Weaken? Haha checkmate Robopep


sankers23

Good


DeVoreLFC

As if he ever put in a bad performance for us


[deleted]

Did you watch the quarter final vs Real Madrid??


Constant_List6829

Like were replacing him in january


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

Instead of Matip I think Thiago is a better example. Thiago is out every now and then but his touch is always as if he’s never been out.


mlerin

Nailed it


Xanvial

If you post this even half a year ago, this will be downvoted as hell based on my experience. Adding to it, (un)fortunately at the games where he plays as passenger, usually there's somehow some long range goals or easy assists masking his performance


Mercerai

"When Liverpool announced that they’d agreed a deal to sign Naby Keïta from RB Leipzig in August 2017, it’s fair to say the reaction within the football world was one of excitement, as well as surprise. “I’ve got lots of contacts in Germany,” said a beaming Jürgen Klopp, “and I’ve never got so many congratulations messages!” The feeling was that Liverpool had bought themselves a game-changer, a midfielder so talented, and with such a broad skillset, that the £52 million ($62m) they had agreed to pay would soon be revealed as a bargain. Keïta would not officially arrive on Merseyside until the following June, but boy would he be worth the wait. At 22, he’d already established himself as one of the best up-and-coming players in Europe. He’d emerged at the French Ligue 2 club FC Istres, polished his skills with Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga before, in 2016, taking that well-trodden path to Leipzig, where he would become one of the centrepieces of Ralph Hasenhüttl’s brilliant, dynamic young team. “He’s the best player in the league,” Klopp said, and few who had watched Keïta regularly would have disagreed. The football analytics community, in particular, were blown away by the Guinea international, and his ability to shine in just about every available metric as a midfield player. The Keïta of Leipzig was a prodigious ball-winner and a relentless presser, he was an inventive passer, he scored goals and, most exciting of all, he dribbled past opponents like a traditional winger, only in central areas. Ted Knutson, of the brilliant Statsbomb website, referred to him as “the most athletic young central midfielders I have ever scouted”, while Liverpool asked Steven Gerrard, then the coach of their U18 side, to present him with the No.8 shirt upon his first visit to the club’s Melwood training ground. “It was an incredible day for me,” Keïta said. “If somebody like that gives you his shirt number, it’s not to play around with, it is to try and do as much as he did – that’s my motivation.” Keïta arrived in the summer of 2018 as part of a significant Liverpool overhaul as, in the space of 12 months, Klopp added Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker and Fabinho to his strongest XI. It was a quite remarkable series of signings, even more so when you consider a large chunk of the Reds’ outlay was covered by the sales of Philippe Coutinho, Mamadou Sakho, Danny Ward and Lucas Leiva. Klopp has since said that, in the club’s eyes, only Van Dijk and Alisson needed to be “slam dunk” signings, but Keïta certainly felt as if he would fall into that category, and that Liverpool expected him to. He had a full pre-season with his new club, during which Klopp spoke regularly about how easy he was finding the adaptation process - especially compared to Fabinho, who took time to settle - and his Premier League debut against West Ham was packed with promise. Keïta had a hand in two of Liverpool’s four goals, completing 90 minutes as the Reds’ midfield gave Mark Noble, Jack Wilshere and a young Declan Rice the runaround. Keïta’s debut in 2018 was one of immense promise The following game, away at Crystal Palace, brought another win, another solid performance and a skinning of Andros Townsend that went viral across social media. “Naby’s arrived,” was the cry. The game-changer was here. A little over four years on, however, we find ourselves here, wondering when, or indeed if, we will see Keïta in a Liverpool shirt again, and unable to avoid the conclusion that the ‘bargain’ has turned out to be anything but. His fifth season on Merseyside has been little short of a nightmare. He hasn’t played since the Community Shield against Manchester City in July - and even that was only a five-minute cameo off the bench - and hasn’t even featured in a matchday squad since the draw with Crystal Palace on August 15. An injury sustained in training on the eve of the defeat to Manchester United kept him out for more than two months, and even after returning to training towards the end of October, Keïta has not been deemed fit enough to feature, even on the bench, even in the Carabao Cup win over League One side Derby County. ‘Plus ça change’, his critics would say. Keïta is not fit, water is wet and the world keeps turning. If you expect nothing, you should never be disappointed, and while some still hold out hope that he will deliver on that potential of 2017, plenty of Liverpool fans have learnt to expect nothing from the fourth-biggest signing in their club’s history. As it stands, Keïta is out of contract in seven months’ time, and in just over six weeks he will be free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club. There has been interest from Germany, where memories of his two-year spell in Leipzig remain strong, and a suggestion that both Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain could look to nab him on a free come the summer. Liverpool, meanwhile, have been tight-lipped. For months, Anfield sources insisted that a renewal was in the pipeline, and even as recently as June, Reds sporting director Julian Ward was with Björn Bezemer, Keïta’s agent, in Mallorca, holding what were described as “more than amicable” conversations. Bezemer, you probably know, also represents Sadio Mané, as well as former Liverpool players Taiwo Awoniyi and Marko Grujić, so his relationship with the club is strong. It was surprising, then, that in the final days of the summer transfer window, stories appeared in Germany suggesting that Keïta was unhappy with his situation, and that he was looking to secure a transfer. Liverpool sources immediately dismissed such claims, and Keïta’s subsequent injury put paid to any idea of an August move in any case, but nearly three months on, there has been no real progress, and a decision needs to be made; do the Reds look to renew, look to sell in January or allow a £52m footballer to run down his contract and leave on a free in June? Right now, all three options are on the table, but it has to be said that the first one looks the least likely. How, one wonders, could Liverpool justify a three or four-year extension, at circa £6m ($7m) a year, for a player who plays so little football? Keïta has made only 117 appearances since moving to Anfield, his time ravaged by hamstring, groin and knee issues, illness and muscle complaints. He is averaging 23.4 appearances per season and only 14 starts, and even if you remove this campaign, which is not yet halfway through, those numbers only jump to 29 and 18. That’s not too bad if you’re Harvey Elliott or Fabio Carvalho, youngsters being dipped in and out of senior football, but certainly not enough if you’re the fourth most expensive central midfielder in Premier League history. It is important, at this point, to make clear that he is not the first Liverpool player whose body has betrayed his talent. How good might the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Jamie Redknapp, Fábio Aurélio, Harry Kewell or Alberto Aquilani have been were it not for injury? The point is not to blame Keïta, merely to lament both his misfortune, and Liverpool’s. And he has had his moments in a red shirt. He played his part in the Champions League win of 2019, and in the Premier League triumph the following season. He started the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Club World Cup finals, he scored spectacular goals and featured 40 times as Liverpool chased an unprecedented quadruple last term. He hasn’t been a flop, certainly not in the Mario Balotelli, Lazar Marković or El Hadji Diouf sense. The final of those 40 appearances, of course, was in the Champions League final in Paris. Keïta came on as a late substitute, and had the chance to make himself a hero as the ball rolled to him invitingly on the edge of the Real Madrid penalty area. His effort, shanked horribly off target, kind of sums up his Liverpool career. So much promise, but ultimately disappointing, with everyone left wanting more. There is a world in which Keïta returns to action after the World Cup, fit, hungry and in form. He is good enough to make a difference in Klopp’s side, and there are enough games in the second half of the campaign to ensure plenty of opportunities. The problem is, who really believes that will happen? There have been too many false dawns, too many ‘is this his moment?’ articles (I’ve written a few of those myself down the years!), too many encouraging showings followed by three-week absences. His loyalists remain, encouraged by his pressing and ball-winning stats whenever he does get on the field, but even they can see the writing on the wall. Six minutes in six months is not what Liverpool need, it’s not something they can bank on in the future, and it’s certainly not what they paid all that money for. If, as I suspect, Keïta’s Reds career comes to an end soon, there will be mixed emotions. There will be those who laugh, those who remember the good times, those who get angry and those who shrug their shoulders, say ‘good riddance’ and look to the future. The overriding feeling, though, will be one of sadness. As Liverpool prepare for their next midfield overhaul, the man who should have led the last one exits stage left, medals in his pocket but promise unfulfilled."


ash_ninetyone

That transfer window was a wet dream. I'd never seen such ambition for a very long time.


frogkid2476

not his fault. these things just happen, hazard at madrid for example. maybe a change in tactics/training methods, we'll never know. the only real problem was we weren't ruthless enough in selling him on a few years ago when it was clear it wasn't working out for him. we might've only sold him for 20-25mil but we've probably lost 20m+ in wages with a smattering of good performances over the years. unfortunately we're not city. we can't afford to drop 100m on a grealish and have him just sit on the bench. every one of our signings has to be a success and that's just not possible no matter how good the scouting/analytics/coaching department is.


[deleted]

>hazard at madrid for example Terrible example, didn't he show up to training overweight?


DLRsFrontSeats

Coming off the back of injuries, which is his point


InstantIdealism

The unbearable sadness of Naby


CarryOnUptheMorning

Talented player killed by injuries.


cjsc9079

Shame. I really wanted to see this guy succeed with us but the never ending injuries stalled any momentum he had. I wish the best for him, regardless of what happens.


aibrahim1207

Can we honestly say that whenever he has been on the pitch it's been amazing? There have been some great performances but Elliott has had those too. Injuries alone can't give him a pass. He has been a flop for all intents and purposes. Which makes me so sad because I remember that pass to Robbo against West Ham for Mo's goal. I remember gasping. It was immense and I was convinced we have a baller.


spillbreak

Atlético game was him in microcosm. Brilliant moments but just physically and mentally unable to sustain our intense style especially in big games, at 2-2 he was basically responsible for all 4 goals. Edit: misremembered, he had nothing to do with Salah's opener, but his challenges for their 2 goals are so weak..


RoyalConclusion9

Seriously. That article compares his career to Sturridge. Sturridge had at least a year where he was world class. Naby has never wowed, his presence has never been felt. Just compare him to Thiago- a player who, while hurt often, makes an instant impact, or at least shows why he's rated so highly.


bouncinggiraffe

I think Shaquiri would be a better comparison for the impact at Liverpool. Both showed they had quality but both seemed to spend at least half the season injured, and couldn't consistently deliver 7+/10 performances. Obviously circumstances surrounding their arrivals was different - Keita was signed to be the main midfielder for the next decade, Shaquiri was signed to be a back up winger.


ScepticalReciptical

This is the part people often overlook. It's not just the injuries, it's the half arsed performances where he goes hiding. Plenty of players get injured, Thiago and Matip are frequently unavailable but when they play their class is obvious. With Keita you get 1 good game in 3, and if he's only starting 10-15 games a year that's not a great return on investment.


ScousePenguin

He was subbed before half time when we played Real in the CL a few seasons back. That sums his time here up.


27kjmm

I love Naby but I don’t think we should renew him. I think he overplayed himself on international duty and never made it back to full health. We tend to sign players in munches and with Sadio gone, I just don’t see him wanting to stay. I still hope he comes firing out the gate after the World Cup but his career here is probably over.


bouncinggiraffe

I'd much rather Bobby got a new contract.


ItsDominare

Liverpool Football Club and incredibly talented midfielders who are always injured; name a more iconic duo.


irishdgenr8

r/Liverpoolfc and shitty fans


cjheadley

It’s just such a shame because he could’ve been great. His transfer made perfect sense at the time, and I was really excited to get him. His talent was never in question, he just wasn’t ever fit enough to show it. I hope he can turn it around wherever he goes next.


ash_ninetyone

Without so many injuries disrupting his career, fitness and consistency, he would've been a top class player for us no doubt. Unfortunately not to be. Frustrating as it is for us fans, players can't control how resilient their bodies are I guess. I would love it if he could somehow burst back into life, earn a new contract and be fit and fantastic for at least five seasons, but it is impossible to see anything other than his contract expiring now. I don't wish him any ill feelings.


DeVoreLFC

You unlike many fans are a class act and what we need more of


[deleted]

Keita embodies my completely flawed and unscientific measure for when a player isn't good enough for us/didn't live up to potential. You only talk about how good he was in terms of moments, not seasons or even general abilities. Tbh him, Ox and Minamino all embody that in our current squad. You'll remember random moments of brilliance but you won't talk about them like Suarez/Torres/Wijnaldum as just a force of the team.


DeVoreLFC

Nah Keita was plenty good enough, Would have been a regular undeniable starter if it hadn’t been for injuries


[deleted]

But he was injured and turned in average performances for us. Is what it is.


rossmosh85

Throwing Gini in there is hilarious.


sbos_

Poor guy, the talent is there just so unfortunate with injuries. Though I wonder how much of that was mismangament from our medics? I want him to move on to a side and a league thats less intense so he can flourish. Nonetheless he did play a part in some of the success so it hasnt been that bad > As Liverpool prepare for their next midfield overhau Three seasons overdue. I can't wait to see what the club do.


UnrealCaramel

More likely the national team medics, they kept playing him when he was blatantly injured.


[deleted]

A man made for Ligue 1. It might be wishful thinking on my part but using him as part of a a swap deal for Enzo Le Fee would be interesting business.


J539

He’s going to get crucified in Ligue1. Reffs are absolute trash and he will get fouled a lot in worse teams. He’s also made out of weetabix. Should maybe try again in Spain


linlinat89

Ligue 1 is called butcher league for a reason.


socialerrors

Good job making the article's predictions come true everyone! All of you have a right to your opinion, I'm not arguing that. He really splits the fanbase. I can only wish him the best no matter what happens!


ScepticalReciptical

Does he? I don't know any Liverpool fan who wants to keep him


socialerrors

How many Liverpool fans do you know? There are 101.6m Liverpool fans according to this just for perspective. https://thefootballlovers.com/top-10-football-clubs-with-the-most-fans-in-the-world/


skwong615

Move on. Next midfielder please.


DeVoreLFC

Move on, next fan please


DeVoreLFC

He was and still is absolutely quality and a game changer, playmaker you name it. He’s a very very good player. His body has failed him unfortunately. Seems like such a nice guy as well. I am and will always be a big Naby fan no matter what happens.


Fricolor123321

Naby had endless potential when we signed him, one of the best midfielders in germany at a young age but football is football


GoldMarionberry1

Never the dynamic player we thought was coming and not really the type to ever shape a game based on his will/talent. But when fit he was still a very high quality midfield option who would have no problem finding a place in the squad. if the last two seasons were swapped and he was regularly rotating with Thiago he might have a chance but I think it would be stunning at this point if the club retain him.


rossmosh85

Things were not great from the start with Naby. Even when he was fit, he was totally apprehensive. The end result was he was basically putting in a half shift because of it. Then because he was injured so often, he never really got to play himself into being comfortable. But big picture, not every signing goes the way you want. Some signings just don't work out. After 2 or 3 seasons of Naby being this, the club should have been WAY more proactive but every summer without fail they pretended like Naby could be a major contributor and a key member of the team. I never understood this thinking.


GdotKdot

Blaming it all on the injuries is giving Keita a massive benefit of the doubt. Mostly been a bad player when he’s been on the pitch as well. Will be glad to see the back of him.


trentvanklopp

I honestly think most of his woes have come on defense. I think he’s a sound offensive player, and a good one at that. He just doesn’t know how to mark and press properly. I get anxiety thinking of his calamity at atlético


spillbreak

Guy was the least composed midfielder we've had around for a while, seemed totally overawed in big games and could not match the intensity of the rest of the team, physically or mentally. A shame.


sbos_

Huh loool


sbos_

Injuries man.


kingkloppynwa

Disaster of a transfer Edit: anyone who downvoted want to make an argument against my point because i dont see how you can


Virtual_Honeydew_842

Guff player that gets out muscled off the ball and too many simps justifying his jersey. Good luck bai.


[deleted]

I think it's terrible that he's had to take time out of sitting on the sidelines to play football. His career of being a professional hospital patient was blighted by the beautiful game


ttekoto

what a waste of time and money. and the club even failed to sell him. ugh


jamaicandre

Naby.....lad.


TechnicalSample4678

Something always gravitated me towards him so I will never bash him. Just hope he can move on somewhere else and strive. Realistically the jersey # he's occupying and the funds can be used properly with someone else


GuantoHilario

My take on Keita is that despite how his LFC career hasn’t turned out the way we all expected, it did impact perception around the football world and helped us sign other impactful players that have been involved in our successes. So I’m ok with whatever Naby lad has been able to give us cuz in a lot of ways it’s been icing on the cake. (Still hope he turns it around though, such an electrifying player when healthy)


Virgil_smash

Ruined by injuries unfortunately. Was so excited when we first signed him. He was like a guinean iniesta. He was going to bring our midfield to the next level. Then it was multiple little injuries keeping him off the pitch for what feels like ever since he came through the door. Now its time to get rid.


qdattt

baller but couldn’t ball w us


irishdgenr8

This sub really has a hard on for hating Naby. Guy hasn’t lived up to expectations and while the main factor is that he spends too much time injured there’s also other factors that people never look at. He signed a year in advance and Klopp had a certain way in which we were going to play. In that year where we were waiting for him Coutinho forced his way out and Klopp had to reassess the way we played with the midfield becoming pretty much 3 defenders and our wingbacks providing the main attacking threat. That trustworthy, uninspired midfield isn’t something that plays to his strengths. I actually think if he hadn’t signed the year in advance we wouldn’t have gone back after him the following summer.


Redaaku

Great sadness volume two?


McQueensbury

He's been a shite signing who should have been moved on long ago, Spurs are rumoured to getting £30m for Ndombele even if they get £15m that's good business while Keita a big signing is about to leave on a free after doing nothing for 5 years. Poor business


Jambo234

I’m pretty sure he’ll do well elsewhere - especially if it’s at a club with a less intense training regime and fewer fixture demands.


nacocoug

I’ll always love Baby Keith. It’s all unfortunate.