Naby Keita in good company with starring Liverpool debut

Naby Keita enjoyed an excellent Liverpool debut as his side put four past West Ham in their opening Premier League game of the season, and a glance at recent history indicates that a lightning start bodes very well indeed.

It was a typically dynamic display from the new arrival, who slotted into Jurgen Klopp’s starting eleven seamlessly. He really was everywhere over the course of the 90 minutes, constantly finding pockets of his space and linking up intelligently with his new team-mates.

The performance had supporters purring, particularly given that there is more to come. Keita looks set for Anfield stardom, just as exciting additions before him have done.

Of course, not every starring debutant is bound for great things. Simon Mignolet, for instance, produced a superb penalty save at the death in his first game for the club to guarantee three points, but five years later, after a succession of costly errors, he has been shown the door and his Liverpool career is over.

For the most part, though, those who fly out of the blocks are able to maintain that momentum. Below is a look-back at five fantastic introductions which have proven to be a precursor of success.

Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool 2-1 Everton, January 2018

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Friday, January 5, 2018: Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk celebrates scoring the second goal during the FA Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Everton FC, the 230th Merseyside Derby, at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

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It really does not get any better than a late Merseyside Derby winner in front of the Kop on your debut. Van Dijk will never forget the moment when he rose above Phil Jagielka and Jordan Pickford to power home a header five minutes from time against the Blues in the FA Cup third-round.

The Reds had broken the bank to recruit the highly-rated centre-back, but he shrugged off the burden of expectation which came with his £75million price tag and produced a vintage display – assured, commanding, unmoved.

He was totally dominant in his battle with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and offered glimpses of his magnificent distributive capabilities. Even aside from the goal, then, it was a perfect opening chapter.

Mohamed Salah, Watford 3-3 Liverpool, August 2017

Salah’s impressive debut was perhaps the chief consolation for Reds fans as they saw their side surrender three points courtesy of a disastrous defensive performance.

The Egyptian, like Van Dijk, had a point to prove after his Chelsea woes but kicked-off his staggering, headline-grabbing season with a goal and an assist at Vicarage Road.

After a quiet start, he grew into the game and underlined just how significant a threat he would pose, tormenting the Watford defenders with his blistering pace.

The rest is record-breaking history.

Sadio Mane, Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool, August 2016

LONDON, ENGLAND – Sunday, August 14, 2016: Liverpool’s manager Jürgen Klopp celebrates the 4-3 victory over Arsenal with Sadio Mane after the FA Premier League match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Mane was, in many ways, the first piece of Klopp’s puzzle. He boasted the attributes with which the German’s side has become synonymous – speed, raw power and, when required, a top-notch work-rate.

All of those qualities were on show at the Emirates as Mane began his Liverpool career with a devastatingly brilliant performance, capped by a stunning goal which saw him pick up the ball near halfway and drive at the quaking Arsenal defence before venomously lashing home. Such strikes have become his dazzling trademark.

Mane had been a menace throughout his time at Southampton but the early signs were that he would be so much more than that under Klopp’s tutelage. He had the air of a fearsome forward.

It looked a superb bit of business from the off, and as transfer fees have spiralled, he seems a snip at £34million.

Philippe Coutinho, Liverpool 5-0 Swansea, February 2013

 

Coutinho made his full debut in a rout of the Swans and showed glimpses of his promise.

The Brazilian, fed by Luis Suarez, bagged his side’s second goal after gliding into space and firing past Michel Vorm and went close to finding the net on two other occasions.

He was then involved in a fine, pinball-like move leading to his side’s third, finding Jose Enrique, who played a one-two with Daniel Sturridge before dispatching.

The man they would come to call O Magico truly unfurled his wand on his next start against Wigan as he produced two excellent assists.

Coutinho became world-class at Liverpool, and there were signs of that potential from the outset.

Luis Suarez, Liverpool 2-0 Stoke City, February 2011

Liverpool’s meeting with Stoke shortly after the drama of Deadline Day was heralded as the beginning of the post-Fernando Torres era.

And just as one great goalscorer departed, another entered the fray. Substitute Suarez opened his account just 16 minutes after his introduction by rounding goalkeeper Asmir Begovic before (just about) applying the finish.

The £23million addition added three more to his tally before that season was out and proceeded to bang in a combined 78 goals over the next three campaigns before departing for Barcelona.

Liverpool fans can be confident that Keita, whose arrival was so highly anticipated, will join these rare talents in living up to the early hype.

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Source: anfieldhq.com