Robertson: Naby Keïta Was Excellent

The defender has some kind words to say about his teammate following Liverpool’s victory over Bournemouth.

Plenty of columns inches and TV show segments and podcasts have been dedicated to the interesting conundrum of Naby Keïta, who has frustrated some Liverpool fans by not taking off into the stratosphere the way many hoped. The midfielder has had a solid, if slightly disappointing, first season with the club after not getting many chances to play.

He did find his way into Klopp’s starting XI against Bournemouth, and his improvements shown through as he earned himself an assist and impressed plenty on the way to the Reds winning 3-0.

One person who was bubbling with praise for his teammate was Andy Robertson, who contested after the match that it had been Keïta’s best display to date for Liverpool.

“On my side, I thought that Naby was excellent,” Robertson said. “He has taken a wee bit of time to settle in but today was probably his best performance in a Liverpool shirt. I’m sure he can take a lot of confidence from that, which he will.”

And regarding Keïta’s development, the Scotsman came to his teammate’s defense.

“He’s young and he’s had to take time. But if you look at all of us, Fabinho had to take time, me, Chambo. There’s a kind of pattern emerging that you need to settle in and you need to learn the way to play and things like that.

“I think everyone forgets how young Naby is – 24 tomorrow, he’s only a young boy,” contended the doddering old man of nearly 25 years old. “He’s a fantastic player and the more he shows it the more people will start talking about him.

“I thought today he was a different class. I’m sure his confidence will be sky high after today.”

There’s still so much of this season left to play, and Keïta, if he continues to put in good displays like the one on Saturday, should have an important place in Klopp’s plans going forward.

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com