Jurgen Klopp makes promise to Liverpool FC supporters about Naby Keita
The Liverpool FC manager is confident Naby Keita will improve following his summer move
Jurgen Klopp has reassured Liverpool FC supporters that Naby Keita has plenty of room to improve.
The Guinea international acquitted himself well in Liverpool FC’s disappointing 3-1 loss to Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund in their International Champions Cup clash.
Keita moved to Liverpool FC in a £48m deal from Bundesliga giants RB Leipzig earlier this summer to bolster their options in the middle of the park.
The 23-year-old will be tasked with filling Emre Can’s void in the middle of the park following the Germany international’s move to Serie A champions Juventus.
The Liverpool FC star has taken on Steven Gerrard’s number eight shirt to leave Keita with big shoes to fill ahead of the new Premier League season.
Speaking at his post-match media conference about Keita’s performance in their pre-season loss to his former club Dortmund, Klopp said:
“He can do much better, that’s clear.
“He was exhausted, he was really done in the last few minutes when they scored on the counter-attack. Usually Naby is fit and around the situation.
“I think it was the third goal, he couldn’t do it anymore. But, football-wise, he is in a very good way because he’s a naturally skilled player. In small spaces his first few yards are outstandingly quick, so that changed the situation a lot. He was good in the game and then the last game, maybe the half-time was 10 minutes too long for him.
“Today it was very intense for both teams; we trained this morning harder than we usually would do on a matchday but that’s how pre-season is. We still could have won the game but we didn’t. We have to talk about it because you ask questions but we don’t have to think too long about it.”
Liverpool FC finished in fourth spot in the Premier League table to ensure their continued participation in the Premier League.
The Reds have signed Brazil international Fabinho in a £40m deal from Ligue 1 side AS Monaco last month.
Swiss star Xherdan Shaqiri in a £13.5m deal from Stoke City earlier this month before Alisson Becker’s record £67m move from AS Roma.
