Gabby Agbonlahor wants to see more from Naby Keita in a Liverpool shirt.
The talkSPORT pundit said that he has never seen the 27-year-old play well for more than one game at a time for The Reds.
“They definitely miss Thiago, but I’m just a bit frustrated with Keita,” said Agbonlahor when asked if Liverpool have been missing Thiago Alcantara.
“I haven’t really seen back-to-back performances from him in a Liverpool shirt since he signed. I think every Liverpool fan will look at Keita and want more from him.”
Fitness struggles
In some ways it’s a fair assessment from the former England striker. Liverpool fans have been waiting for Keita to explode onto the scene in a way that hasn’t really happened for him during his time on Merseyside.
There are caveats to the Guinean’s struggles, though.
He has had a torrid time with injuries. The lack of rhythm this has caused has meant that hasn’t been able to get a proper run in the side since the early part of his first season at the club.
But the signs are there that a corner has been turned. The 27-year-old put in a good display against West Ham United on Saturday.
It was a blow to lose Thiago last week. But it was also great to see Naby play the majority of the game, and do well, in the Carabao Cup final win.
Not that we’re keeping count, but that’s two good performances back-to-back, Gabby!
Crunch time for Keita
Keita’s contract is due to run out in summer 2023. That means that Liverpool must make a decision at the end of this season.
It would be seen as tremendously bad business if The Reds let Keita walk away for nothing in less than 18-months having spent an initial £48m on him in 2017.
There is a feeling that the best is yet to come from ‘Naby lad’. Simultaneously there is a feeling that he is destined to never quite hit the heights expected of him upon his arrival.
Liverpool must decide which feeling is stronger. A new contract would seem to make sense given his quality and relatively young age.
But should he continue to struggle for fitness, it may also be wise to take the last opportunity to secure a return on their investment.
Keita has only played 98 times for Liverpool since arriving nearly four years ago. For comparison Fabinho, who joined at the same time, has made 153 appearances for The Reds.
With Liverpool still fighting in three competitions, as long as he stays fit Keita will get his chance in what is left of this season.
It’s down to him to prove that he can become an integral part of Jurgen Klopp’s best eleven. Don’t write Naby off just yet.
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