Liverpool have been linked with a move for a midfielder this summer, but they already have a top midfielder in their ranks.
Fans would like someone to come into the squad to help combat their injury-prone and ageing midfield roster.
Over the weekend, many people were lauding the performance of Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães, with many confused as to why no other top club moved for the Brazilian before Newcastle did.
It turns out that Liverpool’s Naby Keita has better stats than one of the most well-liked and respected midfielders in the Premier League at the current time.
Klopp: “New midfielder? If the right player is not available in this moment we tend to deal with what we have. It would be cool to have new midfielder in, of course”. 🚨🔴 #LFC
“Naby Keita will not go but if he would – he won't – there must be a replacement”. pic.twitter.com/UoqjsYI3Tj
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 21, 2022
Naby Keita must be a first-team regular
Keita, 27, has struggled predominately with injuries during his time on Merseyside that have always derailed any momentum that the midfielder has threatened to build.
His injury record has been overly criticised given the most games he’s ever missed with one injury being 13 games, with seven being the next highest.
It’s more the regularity of smaller knocks that keep him out for a week or two.
In a dream world, Keita would be fully fit and in a Liverpool starting line-up week in, week out but the competitiveness in a top side’s midfield is always incredibly tough to break into.
With all the talk of a new midfielder and everyone praising Guimarães, it may shock you to know Keita boasts better stats.
Bruno Guimaraes vs Naby Keita (FbRef)
Keita arrived as a pressing machine from RB Leipzig – a player tasked with helping improve Liverpool’s midfield back in 2018, however, inconsistency with injuries and form have seen him struggle to hold down a place.
His statistics, however, tell a different story.
They reflect an all-round midfield talent who affects the game going both ways and presses extremely high as almost a perfect Jurgen Klopp-type midfielder.
Despite that, his output is low for a midfielder which can certainly be improved on, but perhaps he needs to be given more of a chance, especially given Thiago’s injury absence.
A new midfielder may well come in the near future but Keita remains a strong option who should be receiving more minutes – granted he can stay fit.
