Report: Liverpool’s midfield crisis to quickly ease with ‘incredible’ player set to return within days

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Naby Keita is set to return to Liverpool imminently, according to reports. The Guinean will ease the Reds’ injury crisis.

This comes from the Telegraph. They claim that Naby Keita is set to return to full training within the next few days. The Liverpool midfielder missed the weekend’s clash with Fulham through illness.

But he was far from the only midfield absentee. Both Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were out with injuries, while Thiago left the pitch early after pulling his hamstring.

The quartet all being out plunged Liverpool into a crisis of sorts. Their midfield looks shakey and unreliable, with several players capable of being labelled ‘injury prone’.

Keita’s return, then, is vital as Liverpool prepare to face Crystal Palace on Monday.

Naby Keita set to return

This is a big moment for Keita. Thiago will likely be out for a bit and that opens up a clear spot in the team for the Guinean. Now is his chance to demonstrate his real importance to Liverpool.

Because this is, after all, a contract year. Keita’s deal expires in 2023 and he’ll almost certainly want a new one that boosts his wages. It’s the contract for his prime years – but Liverpool have to want them.

If Keita can show his worth now, that new contract could be waiting on the table before the month is out. If not, we do wonder whether Liverpool will consider entering the market right at the death for a new midfielder.

Either way, Keita is the midfielder Jurgen Klopp will surely call on against Palace. He’ll ease their injury crisis and that one on its own makes this a big boost for Liverpool. Now we just wait and see if Keita can turn this into a massive boost for himself and his long-term future at Anfield.