Klopp on “shy” Keita and why he needs to improve

Naby Keita, Liverpool’s new midfield maestro, is shy and “not very extroverted” according to manager Jurgen Klopp.

Klopp has revealed that Keita, who arrived in a £54million transfer from RB Leipzig this summer, may need time to settle into life on Merseyside. The deal for the Guinean midfielder was agreed in 2017 before his transfer on 1 July this year, and thus far he’s been worth the wait for Liverpool supporters after two impressive displays against West Ham and Crystal Palace.

Keita was a veritable Rolls Royce in the centre of the park last night, driving the team forward and producing some eye-catching moments of individual brilliance.

The Reds manager, however, believes there’s a lot more to come from his new number eight.

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 12: Naby Keita of Liverpool runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and West Ham United at Anfield on August 12, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

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“He’s a very shy person and not very extroverted, he needs to settle a bit. He’s next to Sadio all the time,” Klopp said (echo quote).

“We all love Naby but we don’t know if he loves us as he doesn’t speak a lot!

“But he needs time, he’s outstanding on the pitch, in Germany we saw a lot of dribbling in tight areas, we didn’t see that yet.”

Klopp had a serious message for Keita, however.

“But he can do better, he played a few nice passes, but defensively very stable in the challenges. Tactically he can improve, and he must improve.”

The Mirror also revealed that Liverpool fans have already come up with a song for Keita:

“The new chant, to the tune of La Bamba, a tune made famous by Ritchie Valens in 1958, features the lyrics: ‘Na-na-na-Naby Keita, Bobby Firmino, Salah and Mane…and Andy Robbo!’”

Keita has become a first fan favourite already and will no doubt continue to impress when Liverpool take on Brighton on Saturday.

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Source: anfieldhq.com