Naby Keita

[Liverpool]

he's playing like he's stoned and is scared everyone is looking at him

[kubrickscube]

He’s literally ****ting himself. He’s made mistakes and he’s petrified of making another. He’s trying but he’s hiding too. Compare him now fully aware things haven’t gone his way to his first few appearances where he seemed a lot more confident. He banged loads in from distance for red bull and he looks the least likely to shoot from range for us.

[Saveloy]

he's playing like he's stoned and is scared everyone is looking at him

[Fosterbloke]

Keita's poor performances mirror Henderson's early games for Liverpool. Stuck out wide, he grafted but made little impact but the result was an improvement in discipline and a chance to learn our style of play (at the time) for a move into central midfield.

No one would argue that Henderson was a key figure in the 13/14 season and so Keita could play an equally key role next season.

[McDermotX]

To be honest, in the opening half he was doing ok. Keeping things far simpler than he was in previous appearances. Not looking to hold onto the ball for too long, no extravagance, putting decent zip on a slow ball etc..
Declined markedly in the 2nd before his eventual replacement despite him actually making the thrust for what should have been a peno.
Needs time, but it probably should be from the bench more often than not as others are far beyond his worth right now in the middle.

[baitman]

50 million pounds for a player who needs a full season to settle in

[Exiled_red]

Keita's poor performances mirror Henderson's early games for Liverpool. Stuck out wide, he grafted but made little impact but the result was an improvement in discipline and a chance to learn our style of play (at the time) for a move into central midfield.

No one would argue that Henderson was a key figure in the 13/14 season and so Keita could play an equally key role next season.

I think you are mistaken with the season or have a was that should be a wasn't. Henderson was key in 13/14 when we came 2nd he had a key role, people mention the loss of him to suspension after his sending off against City as a reason for our poor form in the last few games.

[danperkins]

To be honest, in the opening half he was doing ok. Keeping things far simpler than he was in previous appearances. Not looking to hold onto the ball for too long, no extravagance, putting decent zip on a slow ball etc..
Declined markedly in the 2nd before his eventual replacement despite him actually making the thrust for what should have been a peno.
Needs time, but it probably should be from the bench more often than not as others are far beyond his worth right now in the middle.

[BG1973]

He’s a funny one, looks out of place at the moment but I think he is a unique player with different skills and instructions, which at the moment isn’t effective..

I’m hanging on to hope that it will click and he will suddenly find another gear and making more impact but not that confident.. and worried that the more his confidence is effected the worse it gets.

Had to bet on it, I’d say he won’t make it. Weaker area of the team so we can’t wait too long. A real diamond in the middle would make a big difference, that’s what he was supposed to be.

[Fosterbloke]

I reckon he will make it.

[Rigadon]

How many Klopp signings haven’t ‘made it’ at Liverpool? Think he’ll be a huge success. BTW - he wasn’t our worse midfielder against Leicester.

[rudedog]

WTF

They still countered us loads and if him and Wijnaldum arent there to break up the play are they just there to watch their midfielders play through us

Yep I am sure Klopp is happy to leave the midfield wide open and let teams just walk through

I don't think their midfield played though ours at all though - they just bypassed it with the diagonal ball into the channels (just like QPR did). Once Fab came on as the DM he pretty much shut off that avenue.

[~LFCHistory~]

He likely didn't have to deal with teams parking the bus in Germany plus the physicality of the PL, it may not be just Keita who's unsure of himself, perhaps Klopp hasn't decided if Naby is a deep-lying playmaker or a more advanced CM who attacks and makes runs forward ??

[BG1973]

He was brought to be the latter I thought.

If he isn’t that then what is he, better playmakers about than him.

[Pablo]

He likely didn't have to deal with teams parking the bus in Germany plus the physicality of the PL, it may not be just Keita who's unsure of himself, perhaps Klopp hasn't decided if Naby is a deep-lying playmaker or a more advanced CM who attacks and makes runs forward ??

He looked like he could do both. He looked a complete midfielder to be honest.

It's simplistic, and perhaps optimistic, but I honestly think it's all confidence. If he gets a goal or an important assist I think it could all turn around for him.

Right now he's in his own head. If you watch him you can almost seem him questioning himself. Am I in the right position? Is this the right pass? Should I shoot? No, I'll just lay it off. He looks so unsure and so hesitant.

I'm still very confident he'll come good. Klopp will give him time. It actually seems sometimes that Klopp signs someone then asks them to forget everything they knew about how to play football. Start again my way. That takes time but it pays off eventually.

I would just rather see him come good from the bench rather than the starting XI at this present moment.