Peter Crouch criticised Naby Keita on BT Sport’s Champions League Tonight (19/10, 23:05) for his role in both of Atletico Madrid’s goals during Liverpool’s 3-2 win.
The former Anfield striker particularly took issue with Keita for his role in the Colchoneros’ second of the game. Keita failed to contain Joao Felix on the wing as the Portuguese talent waltzed through to find Antoine Griezmann for the striker’s second and Atleti’s equaliser.
Diego Simeone’s side responded after early strikes from Mohamed Salah and Keita with Griezmann scoring twice. The Frenchman turned home his first from close range after the Reds failed to clear a corner.
Thomas Lemar skipped past Keita on the byline after a short corner routine to drill the ball into Liverpool’s area. His cross fell kindly to an unmarked Koke on the edge of the box, who rolled the ball back into the six-yard area toward Griezmann to turn in and pull a goal back.
Crouch believes Keita could have done more to stop Lemar and Felix running at Liverpool’s defence as Atletico fought back. Noting while assessing Griezmann’s second goal:
“I felt Keita did not cover himself in glory for either goal. He lets Felix get away from him here [on the touchline].”
Crouch then added, in terms of Liverpool having any weaknesses: “I think we saw a few weaknesses tonight. Obviously, Fabinho is a stronger defensive midfielder than Keita. He scored a fantastic goal tonight, but they look a lot more solid when Fabinho’s in the team.”
Should Klopp share Crouch’s defensive concerns on Liverpool’s Keita?
Keita scored a stunning strike to put Liverpool two-goals to the good at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night. But the £120k-a-week midfielder certainly could have done more to stop Lemar and Felix moving into dangerous attacking positions.
Keita gave Lemar time to consider his options before the Frenchman shifted the ball onto his left-foot and breezed past. The Atletico wide man caught Keita on his heels, seemingly expecting Lemar to pass to Rodrigo de Paul than drive into Alisson’s penalty area.
Felix likewise skipped past Keita in the 33rd-minute, with the Liverpool midfielder’s efforts to hinder the Atletico talent too weak. Klopp appeared to share Crouch’s concerns over Keita’s defensive abilities, too, as the Liverpool boss subbed the 26-year-old at half-time for Fabinho to offer his side greater stability in midfield after letting slip a two-goal lead.
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