Naby Keita is reportedly set to start for Liverpool on Saturday.
Jurgen Klopp’s side begin their Premier League campaign with a trip to newly-promoted Norwich City tomorrow evening.
And the Liverpool boss has a bit of a headache in terms of midfield options.
With Georginio Wijnaldum obviously now at Paris Saint-Germain, Klopp’s job is made no easier by the fact Curtis Jones, Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara are all sidelined.
According to James Pearce of The Athletic, the German manager is likely to start injury-prone Keita, who has impressed in pre-season games.
The 26-year-old has managed only 53 Premier League appearances for Liverpool since joining from Red Bull Leipzig three years ago, illustrating his perennial battle to stay fit.
Here’s how some Reds fans reacted to the likelyhood of him starting tomorrow:
Replacement
Whether he comes through the 90 minutes or not, Liverpool still absolutely need a replacement for Wijnaldum in the final few weeks of the transfer window.
He played a huge role in helping the club to Premier League and Champions League glory in recent years.
And to promote somebody – like Jones or Harvey Elliott – instead of signing somebody is a shortcut to disaster.
Keita, as talented as he is, has proven already that he cannot be relied upon for the whole season and therefore it’s just madness if Klopp doesn’t add a midfielder.
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