Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita splits opinion among Reds fans and his performance in the 7-2 defeat to Aston Villa has become a lightning rod for criticism.
The Guinean international was taken off at half time by manager Jurgen Klopp as he looked to change the team’s shape and supporters on Twitter are not sure whether he deserves to get his place back in the starting eleven:
Absolutely fair. Keita has been a disaster this season so far
— JITHUS_NAMBIAR (@jijithb) October 6, 2020
Keita is getting unfair treatment from the media he wasn't the problem against Villa
— Addy✌ (@hendos18) October 6, 2020
Never felt he was any good. Doesn’t get stuck in. Contributions limited. Exposed when Henderson not on pitch to cover for him
— laughs like Boycie (@BoycieLike) October 6, 2020
Plays better as a LCM, but there’s big issues all over the pitch. Corridor between Trent and Gomez, and obviously Adrian at the minute.
— CM_LFC (@QuicklyOrigi) October 6, 2020
Still can’t see what he offers still hasn’t done anything great for me
— Simon Lee Renders (@Renders10) October 6, 2020
Keita has a cult followimg amongst fans but I do worry about him
Not overly sure what he gives us & he seems passenger in most games, he doesn't impose himself on games
Keeper & defence getting stick for performance v Villa but they just passed & ran straight through midfield
— PaulShilly ?? (@shillcock_paul) October 6, 2020
Harsh, almost everyone had a mare to be honest. Robbo, Jota, Salah the only 3 having a go
— Gavin Hodge (@Gavstar79) October 6, 2020
Fair…Naby hasn't justified his fee yet looks very light weight for the epl
— VirtuousLFC (@VirtuousHD) October 6, 2020
The lad is a passenger when a team takes is on, he's a sub when we're on top at best.
— Nidge (@Nigel_44) October 6, 2020
Yet our two fighters in the midfield who are defensively sound usually, played just as bad but it won't be mentioned.
— MacciesDee (@MacciesD) October 6, 2020
When captain Jordan Henderson is fit, there is no doubt that Keita will be the favourite to make way. However, any criticism of the 25-year-old’s performance must be tempered by the fact that only a week before, he had performed in a midfield that put in a superb shift during the 3-1 win over Arsenal.
The major issue with Keita has always been consistency. There are matches where he does excel, but at the same time, there are occasions where he goes missing, like on Sunday evening at Villa Park.
