Since Jurgen Klopp took over as Liverpool manager, the club has shown a lot of promising signs. Two cup finals in Klopp’s debut season was followed up with Champions League qualification in his first full season.
Qualifying for the Champions League meant that there were surely going to be some high-profile arrivals this summer with Mohamed Salah being the first of them. However, Liverpool are sure to break their transfer record once again this season with a well-documented interest in Virgil van Dijk and most importantly, Naby Keita.
Also read: 5 signings that would win Liverpool the EPL title
Keita is an energetic midfielder who works equally hard at both ends of the pitch and his numbers reflect that. His agility and hardworking nature automatically makes him a perfect fit for Jurgen Klopp’s system and possibly threatens the place of Giorginio Wijnaldum, if he arrives.
The 22-year-old Guinean International has risen to prominence in the last year following a brilliant debut season with RB Leipzig. Here are 5 things you probably didn’t know about the £70m rated man.
#1 Voted into Bundesliga team of season 2016/17 with second highest number of votes
During the course of Leipzig’s impressive 2016/17 season where they finished second, a lot of the limelight was on the likes of Timo Werner and Emil Forsberg. However, as the season progressed, Naby Keita gained more admirers and eventually won his place in the official Bundesliga Team of the Season.
Keita was named in the team of the season by 70% of the voters (499,731 votes) which was only bettered by Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich who was chosen by 75% of the voters.
This is simply remarkable because, Thiago Alcantara, who arguably enjoyed the best season of his career, only got 59% votes.
Keita was one of the best players in the league last season and hence, it comes as no surprise that Leipzig want to keep hold of their star with their debut season in Champions League coming up.
#2 He has the same agent as Sadio Mane
During the time when rumours of Keita to Liverpool was heating up, a photo surfaced on social media featuring Liverpool star Sadio Mane with Keita.
Turns out the two players are managed by the same agency Arena11 Sports Group and both players are represented by Bjorn Bezemer.
Now, Bezemer has a history with the Red Bull group. Mane was pushing throughout the summer transfer window of 2014 for a move as Barcelona and Dortmund were reportedly interested. Leipzig’s current sporting director, Ralf Rangnick, who was in charge at the Germans’ sister club Red Bull Salzburg at the time, maintained that the player was not for sale. A stance he has also taken with Naby Keita.
Bezemer helped Mane secure a move to Southampton on deadline day despite Rangnick being adamant that Mane was not for sale. However, Rangnick waited until Mane refused to play and it is unlikely that Keita will go to the extreme given his very good relationship with the Red Bull group.
#3 His idol from Africa is Yaya Toure
Keita dreams to become one of the best in the world and it is this attitude of his that has helped him grow as a player.
“I want to be the best African footballer,” he declared. The Guinean also admitted to idolising one the greatest African and Premier League midfielders of all time - Yaya Toure
“My idol from Africa is Yaya Toure... he's strong, works hard and has made it to the very top.”
Toure has made a name for himself as a goalscoring midfielder and Keita can follow in his idol’s footsteps. Last season, the diminutive midfielder scored eight goals and provided seven assists in the Bundesliga. The season before that, he found the back of the net 12 times and assisted seven more for Salzburg.
Given his age and attitude, Keita can go on to eclipse his idol.
#4 Completed more take-ons than any midfielder in Europe’s Top 5 leagues
Keita successfully adapted from a number 10 role in midfield while playing for Salzburg to a box-to-box role while playing for Leipzig with relative ease. He has a very extensive skillset which makes him perfect for multiple midfield roles.
The 22-year-old possesses excellent ball control, dribbling skills and agility. He is capable of gliding past defenders at will which helps in opening up the play. In addition, he has excellent vision and an eye for goal which is a given considering his returns from last season.
Also read: Speed, assists, finishing - Klopp's high hopes for Salah at Liverpool
Keita completed 83 takeons last season in the Bundesliga which is more than any other midfielders in Europe’s Top 5 leagues. This also emphasises why Klopp wants the midfielder as his style of play will help in creating space against teams that defend in numbers and it was often the case with Liverpool in many games.
In addition to his impressive attacking prowess, Keita is equally adept in his defensive duties which is a rare combination. In the Bundesliga, he averaged 2.05 tackles every 90 minutes and 3.05 interceptions per 90 minutes while also creating 1.53 chances per game. How impressive is that?
#5 He hopes to play for Barcelona, Real Madrid or Manchester City someday
Leipzig have constantly said that Keita is not for sale and the player has openly admitted his love for the club and city. However, he is a man with huge ambitions.
In an interview with Welt, he said:
‘I hope, however, that I have the level in two, three years and could play for one of the very big clubs. ‘This includes Barcelona, but it also includes Real Madrid or Manchester City.’
Keita has expressed his admiration for Barcelona more than once but in this interview, he added Real Madrid and Manchester City to the list. The latter probably because of his idol, Yaya Toure, who plays for the club.
There is no doubt that Keita will be an asset to any team given his impressive abilities but it remains to be seen which club will have the fortune of using them at the end of the transfer window.
