Naby Keita

[Venton]

Yeah, I dont see hm being the same sort of player, but the potential for him to get very good over the next few years exists. He clearly has talent.

He definitely needs a run of games, and with Hendo getting injured may get some more.

Hope he makes it as well,, I was thinking more about the stats above that implied he was at the same level.

As an aside though I'm getting worried about the amount of times he's described as clearly having talent. I seem to remember Ryan Babel having the same curse applied to him.

[Sus]

41 touches in 60mins is about Keita at his best. Different team but Silva topped 100 in 90 earlier.

There's plenty of improvement needed. He did well tonight and has done well against lower league teams in the past but we still need more from him IMO.

The number of touches is interesting actually - so much at City goes through their midfield, but for us it's though our fullbacks. I wonder how many touches our other midfielders average because it does feel like at times that Naby isn't involved enough, and he doesn't grab games by the scruff of the neck

But I wonder if that's unfair given how Klopp sets out the role for his midfield

[Exiled_red]

I thought he was a contender for MOTM yesterday, obviously Salah got two goals but Naby was up there with him, his pressing created the first two.

[danperkins]

Excellent in the first half, faded a bit as the game went on but was dominating the midfield in the first 45.

[labourRed]

The number of touches is interesting actually - so much at City goes through their midfield, but for us it's though our fullbacks. I wonder how many touches our other midfielders average because it does feel like at times that Naby isn't involved enough, and he doesn't grab games by the scruff of the neck

But I wonder if that's unfair given how Klopp sets out the role for his midfield

I haven't really dug into the stats this season but last year he well below Henderson and Fabinho in terms of game involvement.

Hopefully with a run in the team he can turn the corner, he's a way off demanding the ball though.

[Shaggy]

Loved him last night. Much better. I'd play him every game til the end now.

[spud_gun]

Harvey Eliott wasn't born when this thread was started

Joking aside he was 3 when this site was created

[Mark79]

I haven't really dug into the stats this season but last year he well below Henderson and Fabinho in terms of game involvement.

Hopefully with a run in the team he can turn the corner, he's a way off demanding the ball though.

I don’t remember but I think that was only very early last season.

This season though he tops every or almost every measurable involvement every time he plays. He did so again last night despite playing 20-30 fewer minutes than his midfield partners.

The more he plays, the better he’ll get. But even in a stop-start season, he’s often one of our most influential players.

That’s phenomenal from Silva, but that appears to have been in a very one sided massacre and City’s midfield plays with more attacking emphasis than ours which often sits to allow the full backs to attack.

[Buzzo]

I don’t remember but I think that was only very early last season.

This season though he tops every or almost every measurable involvement every time he plays. He did so again last night despite playing 20-30 fewer minutes than his midfield partners.

The more he plays, the better he’ll get. But even in a stop-start season, he’s often one of our most influential players.

That’s phenomenal from Silva, but that appears to have been in a very one sided massacre and City’s midfield plays with more attacking emphasis than ours which often sits to allow the full backs to attack.

Except for goals and assists!

[Irishnev]

Loved him last night. Much better. I'd play him every game til the end now.

he needs the opportunity to build rhythm and confidence. With Hendo being injured he should surely get the chance

We saw the full array of talents on display - pressing, interceptions, tackling, dribbling and creativity. He is so smooth on the ball and I think he can add so much to the team but it is all fitness dependent

[BigChief]

MotM for me. That's what we need. Now please don't get injured again.

[Mark79]

Except for goals and assists!

He’s top for goal involvement per mins played among our midfielders.

We don’t expect him to out perform the front 3 in these 2 areas, do we?

[Rich]

The more he plays the braver he gets.

Clearly hugely talented but he's tended to hide in some games, not making himself available as he should, when his fitness and confidence levels rise he starts showing for the ball more.

Hopefully, a good run in the side and stay clear of injuries and he truly turns into the players he's more than capable of becoming.

[labourRed]

I don’t remember but I think that was only very early last season.

This season though he tops every or almost every measurable involvement every time he plays. He did so again last night despite playing 20-30 fewer minutes than his midfield partners.

The more he plays, the better he’ll get. But even in a stop-start season, he’s often one of our most influential players.

That’s phenomenal from Silva, but that appears to have been in a very one sided massacre and City’s midfield plays with more attacking emphasis than ours which often sits to allow the full backs to attack.

No code has to be inserted here.I agree with the more he plays, the better he'll get though.

I can't break it down into mins as he often gets subbed off.

Henderson has been head and shoulders our best midfielder of the season but we could do with another stepping up. Fabinho hasn't been his best this year but has at least come back stronger after the lay off.

[Mark79]

No code has to be inserted here.I agree with the more he plays, the better he'll get though.

I can't break it down into mins as he often gets subbed off.

Henderson has been head and shoulders our best midfielder of the season but we could do with another stepping up. Fabinho hasn't been his best this year but has at least come back stronger after the lay off.

Key passes, big chances created, dribbles, tackles, interceptions, etc?
He’s frequently top when he plays. Henderson has had a better season, but you’d expect so since he’s played regularly. Fabinho has that poor period after his injury but he’s the best DM in the league.