Liverpool

Liverpool: Journalist slams Naby Keita after Crystal Palace performance

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Image for Liverpool: Journalist slams Naby Keita after Crystal Palace performance

Liverpool journalist Paul Gorst has shared his criticism for Naby Keita and his performance in the Merseyside club’s recent 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace in the Premier League. 

The Reds were back in domestic action on Saturday evening following their midweek 5-2 defeat against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

However, a goalless draw saw Jurgen Klopp’s side leave Selhurst Park with just a point.

At the halfway point in the game, one Liverpool player found himself on the end of some significant criticism for what he had shown on the pitch in the first half.

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In a Twitter post, Gorst had this to say about Keita and his first-half efforts against Palace.

He said: “Not Naby Keita’s finest half. Struggled to get into the game from minute one. Wants too long on the ball and is being outfought every time.”

Throughout the first 45 minutes, the midfielder had 27 touches of the ball in total and accurately completed 16 of the 20 passes he attempted.

Having gave possession away seven times in total, the 28-year-old also gave away four fouls, resulting in him being yellow carded in the 23rd minute.

In terms of being outfought as Gorst mentioned, Keita lost 10 of the 12 duels he was involved in, which shows why the journalist highlighted this issue in his post.

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This display ultimately earned the midfielder a rather underwhelming overall match rating of 6.2/10 from SofaScore, making him the joint-lowest rated Liverpool player on the day.

This makes it easy to see why Klopp chose to take the midfield figure off at halftime and replace him with Harvey Elliott.

Bearing in mind how the Guinea international has recently been touted for a summer exit, it’s safe to say that his display against Palace wouldn’t have done much to convince anyone at Liverpool that he deserves to stay at Anfield.

Moving forward, should Keita find himself in the starting XI at any point throughout the rest of the season, he’ll have to do a lot more than he did at Selhurst Park if he wants to continue his journey with Liverpool beyond the summer.

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