It has been a common trend since the March international break for Jurgen Klopp to alternate between Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita as Liverpool continue to challenge for an unprecedented quadruple. If one starts one game, he has predominantly found himself back on the bench next time out.
With the Reds skipper starting against Villarreal against midweek, it was therefore no surprise to see the Guinean recalled when the teamsheet to face Newcastle United dropped on Saturday morning. What was perhaps more of a surprise was the players to make way, with Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara instead the men dropping out as Klopp rested their legs.
Fans were inevitably unsure about the engine room trio selected in their place, with James Milner making up the triumvirate alongside Henderson and Keita. But history suggested they need not have worried.
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After all, the Keita x Henderson x Milner axis trio were present when Liverpool thrashed both Watford and Manchester United 5-0 back in the Autumn, along with the 3-2 away win at Atletico Madrid. While they didn’t have things entirely their own way in Spain, the trio is perhaps a throwback to earlier Reds engine rooms where Klopp’s men would rule by steamrolling sides that lay before them.
It has been a different story in recent weeks with Thiago’s influence growing. His passing accuracy of 92%, 96%, 98% and 96% against Man City, Manchester United, Everton and Villarreal highlighting how Liverpool have added a string to their bow and now look to control games with the Spaniard their chief composer.
But in his absence against Newcastle, Keita was unleashed and allowed to flourish.
Getting forward at will against the Magpies, the midfielder showed brilliant vision and composure to open the scoring by playing a smart one-two with Diogo Jota to get into the box, round Martin Dubavka and beat the three defenders on the line.
Yet there was more to his game than just this match-winning moment. He pressed Newcastle hard and got stuck in when he needed to, with only Diaz and Jota bettering his total of dribbles and only Milner registering more tackles.
And while he provided one scare when limping heavily in the second half after a knock to his ankle, he ran it off and completed the full 90 minutes to suggest this increased game-time is aiding his physicality.
Sure, he wouldn’t claim as many touches or passes as his fellow midfielders, despite playing longer than Milner and Henderson, while his passing accuracy won’t ever compete with a Thiago. But that’s not his game. He makes things happen in the final third in a different way to the Spaniard.
And while it doesn’t always come off, as demonstrated by only Diaz losing the ball more, it’s all about embracing the chaos. Because when he does get it right, as he did in the first half when combining with Jota, it produces these match-winning moments. And come the end of the season, it could prove rather decisive.
Plenty has been written about the Guinean since his £52.75m move from RB Leipzig in 2018, from his at times inconsistent displays and recurring injury woes. The midfielder himself even acknowledged earlier this season fans are yet to see the best of him.
But Klopp’s current management of the midfielder in the pursuit of the quadruple is seemingly getting the best of him and allowing him to enjoy arguably his most prominent run in the side. With his contract set to expire in 2023, the real Naby Keita is now standing up.
