There was a resigned sense of inevitability last night when Naby Keita was subbed off early for Liverpool, following an awkward-looking injury.
The Guinean has endured a turbulent spell at Liverpool, struggling with a number of injury issues since signing for the club 2017. Therefore, when Keita was taken off by Jurgen Klopp after just 55 minutes on Wednesday night, some fans were once again beginning to fear the worst.
Following Liverpool’s penalty shootout victory over Arsenal, Jurgen Klopp addressed Keita’s injury, as well as other team knocks. The news was largely positive, with the German boss stating that the 24-year-old’s injury “is not so serious”. However, some fans were left unconvinced, after previous layoffs were similarly downplayed:
Naby Keita injury update.https://t.co/aivJ8QNEvp
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 30, 2019
Nothing serious then he’s out for 6 months init?
— MainManMané ? (@SheikhSadio) October 30, 2019
NOT AGAIN
— Sachin Kumar (@sachdude1) October 30, 2019
Just another Sturridge, bags of potential and talent but ridiculed with injurys unfortunately.
— RF9 ?? (@PrimeFirmino) October 30, 2019
Sell him and play Ejaria imo
— jack (@jacktomo02) October 31, 2019
While many were understandably concerned, other fans were instead taking Klopp’s words at face value, stating that he will indeed be back soon, as expected:
Nothing serious, we move reds ?
— ?? (@YNWA_Lucas) October 30, 2019
It’s ok guys calm downnnn
— mboopi (@boardmanburner) October 30, 2019
What we think
His performance may not have been an especially vintage one last night (achieving a 5.86, via WhoScored), but it does seem that whenever the midfielder finally finds his feet in the squad, injury is just around the corner.
On this occasion, the knock doesn’t appear to be a particularly serious one, so with any luck, Keita will be back relatively soon.