Jamie Redknapp shares what he noticed when speaking to Jurgen Klopp about Naby Keita

Follow us on Google Discover

Liverpool thrashed West Ham United 4-0 on Sunday afternoon.

Pundit Jamie Redknapp has told the Daily Mail that Jurgen Klopp’s eyes lit up when talking about Naby Keita following Liverpool’s 4-0 win over West Ham United on Sunday.

The Reds entered the season with major expectations having reached last season’s Champions League final and then splashed money on Alisson and Fabinho, as well as welcoming Keita to the club following a 2017 agreement with RB Leipzig.

Liverpool are expected to run Manchester City close in the race for the Premier League title, and got off to the perfect start with a 4-0 thrashing of West Ham.

Mohamed Salah and Daniel Sturridge got on the scoresheet either side of Sadio Mane’s brace, as the Reds were once again in imperious form under Klopp as they laid down an early marker.

With Salah, Mane and Roberto Firmino leading the attack once again and much stronger defence than this time last year, Liverpool look to be strong – and the addition of Keita is a major boost.

The Guinea international agreed his Liverpool move a year ago but is only just starting his Premier League career, and he marked his competitive debut with a fine performance against West Ham.

Now, pundit Jamie Redknapp has told the Daily Mail that Keita was worth the wait, as he is unlike any midfielder in Premier League history, possessing pace, energy and technical ability.

Redknapp added that he spoke to Klopp after the game, and noticed that the German’s eyes lit up every time Keita was mentioned, believing that the German rates Keita incredibly highly and will give him a key role in the Reds midfield.

“We’ve waited almost a year to see Naby Keita in the Premier League but boy was he worth the wait!” said Redknapp. “I knew he was an aggressive player but by taking the No 8 shirt which has been vacant since Steven Gerrard left Liverpool three years ago, Keita proved before a ball was even kicked that he does not shy away from a challenge.”

“He is unlike any Liverpool midfielder in the Premier League era. Keita is a pocket rocket brimming with pace and energy but also blessed with technical ability. When I spoke to Jurgen Klopp after the game, his eyes lit up at every mention of his new midfielder. He clearly rates him incredibly highly and knows just how important he can be in taking Liverpool to the next level,” he added.