Liverpool fans had a lot to celebrate during Wednesday’s penalty shoot-out win over Arsenal but can be disappointed that Naby Keita was forced off the field through injury. Reds fans are frustrated with the Guinean midfielder after the club confirmed they would have to assess his fitness again ahead of the today’s game with Aston Villa.
Keita has struggled with injuries in his time with Liverpool. The midfielder missed out on a spot in the Champions League final squad last season due to injury and has continued to miss out on games this season.
Wednesday night provided Keita an opportunity for some much-needed game time, with the 24-year-old having made just one substitute appearance in the Premier League thus far.
Interestingly, Klopp stated that the player’s injury isn’t ‘so serious’ after Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup clash, but it appears as if today’s match may come too soon as he will be assessed ahead of their trip to Villa Park.
Reaction to the news of Keita’s likely absence can be seen in the tweets from Liverpool fans below.
#LFC will need to assess the fitness of Naby Keita ahead of Saturday’s trip to @AVFCOfficial, Klopp has confirmed.https://t.co/y3kC3tGXWA
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 1, 2019
Love him just wish he wasn’t getting injured so often
— liverpool321123 (@liverpool321123) November 1, 2019
Nabi is walking a tightrope at @LFC needs to start showing why he was signed
— jonny cash (@jonnyca76046535) November 1, 2019
No rush, he is not ready for the first team, Ox, Gini, Hendo, Fab are all ahead of him.
— Harpz (@SinghIsLFC) November 1, 2019
Keita injured? Again? Imagine my shock.
— Lee (@mightyreds88) November 1, 2019
He’s made of glass
— LFCELLIOT (@LFCELLIOT1) November 1, 2019
Can we get rid of this guy already
— Nana Yaw Danquah(Poyoyo) (@NanaYawDanquah5) November 1, 2019
Liverpool fans are clearly disappointed with Keita since he joined the club last year and are hoping that the midfielder can get a strong run of games under his belt.
What do we think?
Keita, who is valued at £45 million (Transfermarkt), is clearly a talented player and was very good at Leipzig; with whom he averaged a 7.24 in the 2017/18 season. He played well in the 4-1 win at Genk last month but needs to regularly replicate performances such as those if he wants to break into this Liverpool midfield on a more permanent basis.
At the moment, he remains behind the likes of Fabinho, Georginio Wijnaldum, Jordan Henderson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the Liverpool pecking order and you wouldn’t be surprised to see him moved on if he continues to struggle.