Naby Keita summed up his whole Liverpool career with an ‘erratic’ 45-minute display against Crystal Palace tonight.
That’s according to former Reds captain Jamie Redknapp. Speaking to Sky Sports during the half-time break this evening, Redknapp urged Jurgen Klopp to take the already booked Keita off for the second-half.
“I’d be surprised if he isn’t taken off,” admitted the 49-year-old. “He’s erratic. It sums up his whole Liverpool career.”
Keita was duly hooked by Klopp, with Harvey Elliott replacing him before the restart. It was a poor display from Keita who looked determined to get himself a red card.
Another night to forget for Naby
Keita’s strange display tonight was indeed a nice microcosm of his time at Liverpool. A not terrible start, a baffling middle part, and an underwhelming, inevitable ending.
It was a big chance for Naby, back in the side after several games out. With Klopp yet to settle on a midfield three for the remainder of the season, it was another opportunity for the £48m man to stake his claim.
Unfortunately, it feels like Keita is now further away from the team than ever. Booked early on for a cynical attempt to stop a Palace attack, the 28-year-old never recovered.
In fact, he was perhaps lucky not to have seen a second yellow given by the referee. Guilty of one or two similar fouls throughout the first half, Keita was walking a very tight rope.
Klopp had clearly seen enough, not willing to take the gamble on his player for the second half, Elliott took his place.
To be fair to Keita, he wasn’t the only one below par. The whole of Liverpool’s right side looked completely undercooked.
Perhaps Mohamed Salah can be excused, hitting the bar with a lovely strike in the second-half and generally doing okay. But behind him, Keita, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joel Matip looked like a disaster waiting to happen.
The other two of that trio were arguably worse than Keita on the night. But with his yellow card in mind, there was no way Naby could continue. There’s no question that his Liverpool career has been a disappointment. Notable highs yes, but far too many nights like this.