Naby Keita showed v Norwich City how close he is to being integral

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Naby Keita put in a mixed performance against Norwich City on Saturday. He is so close to being a key part of the Liverpool squad.

Keita remains the one major transfer doubt under Jurgen Klopp. The Guinean joined for a reported £52.97m but hasn’t really come close to living up to that price tag. Yet, anyway.

Klopp handed Keita a start against Norwich this weekend then, with the hope that he’d help break down the opposition defence. That defence was always going to be tougher than it looked, after all.

And Keita showed why he started, too – even if things didn’t quite click for him. His quick feet opened up defences, his movement found the right gaps. Keita was just unable to make it all count.

There was a moment in the first half where Keita danced around three Norwich players and found Mohamed Salah in the box. Only, Salah expected Keita to continue his run and played a pass. Keita hadn’t read that, however, and Norwich cleared the ball.

Then there was that chance in the second half. Salah made a brilliant turn and forced Tim Krul into a decent save. Keita reacted first, though, and fired the ball at goal from six yards.

And straight at Krul. A little more composure and a little faster thinking and Kieta makes it 1-0.

In some ways, that sums up Keita. He’s capable of doing the right things and capable of doing great things. But it’s always the ‘before’ part. That ability frequently deserts him in the decisive moments, though.

It comes down to consistency. Keita has the ability – he’s proven that time and time again – it’s just about doing it in the right moments on a consistent basis. That’s what separates good players from great ones.

Keita is close, though. If Klopp and co. can get that last part out of him, he’ll become a vital player for Liverpool.