11 Mar 2021 14:06:12
I don't know if I'm the only one but I've been particularly impressed with Keita recently. I know it's only 1 game and a bit but against Fulham I thought he was our best player, constantly driving forwards and linking well with the front men. His workrate looked much better. When he came on last night I also thought he did really well, often helping fabinho out in the defensive role and snatching up loose balls. Along with being involved directly with the build up to Manes goal and almost setting up Origi.

I know he gets a lot of stick but really hope he continues. I've always had a bit of a soft spot for him and don't think his constant injury issues have helped him at all. Also nice to see Wijnaldum have a much better performance.

It seems Fab in the midfield really does make all the difference.

{Ed0666's Note - this love in for keita is hilarious. The only reason you think he’s playing well is because how he’s at least trying whereas before he was in cruise control so comparably people are thinking he’s realizing his talent. I hope he continues to improve as theres a super player in there but he’s extremely laxidasichal compared to what he was in Germany. If he becomes the player he was then I’d keep him but I’m not sure I could trust him not to drift in to old habits again

11 Mar 2021 14:51:12
I shared the same concerns regarding the bloke previously when he wasn't performing and getting injured all the time.

Was simply praising some good performances and said I hope it continued. Maybe I think he played well because he actually played well, rather than it solely being down to him putting more effort in
(although that would have contributed) . You can put more effort in and still not perform.

I also hope he realises the potential because the flashes we get are impressive. There is no deep love for him, trust me.

{Ed0666's Note - I’m afraid he has failed to impress me and I was his most profound advocate when he joined. The thought of Keita, Fekir, Fab, Hendo and Gini in Midfield was filling me with glee and bonhomie but fekir didn’t happen and it’s as if Keita hasn’t happened either. The guy has been a failure no matter which way you look at it and a few ‘decent’ performances here and there sandwiched between king injury lay-off offs is simply not good enough and doesent warrant a multi million pound contract. And if you think I’m being harsh than so be it because sentiment doesent win you tiptoes it just loses you a lot of money. I also think we need to get rid of Ox, Shaq, Matip et al for the same reasons.

11 Mar 2021 15:55:02
Too little too late. That's my take on Keita. We've always needed the midfielder who could drive up the middle with the ball. He should have woken up earlier.

11 Mar 2021 16:10:03
I also think Ox should go. He's failing to impress when he plays and is only getting older. His explosiveness also seems to have vanished, lovely bloke but I feel we have to be ruthless.

As for Keita I wouldn't object if he was sold however if he found some consistency in the side and stayed away from the injury table I feel he should be kept. He has a lot to give, but patience will eventually wear thin if he doesn't.

11 Mar 2021 16:38:52
Totally agree with Ed here, I do think we need to rid ourselves of the constantly injury prone players, most of them have proven how talented they could be but have not been able to show it at liverpool on a consistent basis and that’s detrimental to us, it’s denying the inevitable. Matip has run his course here and been a great servant at times but he’s not dependable in a position we are in dire need of prioritising in the summer. OX has had glimpses and at one point was easily in the first 11 for me but anytime he got going he would hit a brick wall, he would be one I would be upset about leaving but it has to be done. Keita has been a massive flop, like ed666 said, I was a massive fan of him before and as he joined and it all went to s*** pretty quickly and I think the writing was on the wall after the first season but we persisted and it hasn’t paid off, so I would cut my loses. Shaq, I’ve always thought was a decent squad player but he’s so out of favour there’s no point even entertaining it anymore unfortunately. I would also add Gomez to this list personally, not necessarily as someone we should get rid of, but someone that should be down the pecking order of Cb’s once it’s all said and done. He’s a third or fourth choice Cb at best imo, he should not be our second choice alongside vvd, he’s injury prone and he has been extremely patchy since his last long term injury.

The problem with all this is, we have other players that before the season started, we would have all wanted to keep, but the tides have changed. Some players just simply want to leave now, and some players are playing themselves out of being first 11 players. So with all this being the case probably until the end of the season, I can’t see how these issues are all resolved, especially with us missing out on CL most probably, and how badly our owners have been hit by the C.V.. How do we move on all these players and replace them adequately to put us in a position to qualify for the top 4 again and beyond? This is why I fear for klopp, I think everyone knows the squad we’ve seen dominate the past 2-3 seasons is pretty much spent and needs some rebuilding here and there, but how can we feasibly do that without selling our best players. We all know how pear shaped instant rebuilds can go as well, I just think the circumstances for klopp to get us back where we just were are very very difficult.

11 Mar 2021 17:16:13
I hope keita does keep improving so we can get more money for him. No matter how good he is until the end of the season he has to go!

11 Mar 2021 17:16:22
He’s a 60m flop I’ve no love for him he’s broke my heart! Over the moon when we signed him all the hype and he’s utter pish! I get he doesn’t make his price tag but he’s not even a 20m player hope he’s gone in the summer and not a chance he’s in his 20’s he looks older then me and I’m
Closer to 40!

11 Mar 2021 18:02:30
He would have to do something pretty spectacular in every game between now and summer for me to think he’s worth keeping. Like the Ed says he was not putting the effort in and for a long time, it’s most likely he will revert to that if he makes it to the end of the summer window without being sold.

11 Mar 2021 19:13:38
Impressed lately? When? He started against Fulham in which we weren't very good and he wasn't really an exception (although he did actually manage to play the full game - an achievement for him), and other than that we've seen him for 30 minutes between the Chelsea and Leipzig matches. He played a decent pass or two against RB, but we were already 3-0 up on aggregate when he came on.

I'm on record as not being a fan of player bashing, but I'm yet to see Keita be consistent within a single 90 minute match without going AWOL for half of it. Much less a run of performances. He's been a bad signing, and we were warned he was trouble when he arrived.

Yet, whenever he's playing or even coming back to fitness, I'm consistently stunned by the number of people getting in line to talk him up for a handful of nice touches. Meanwhile players who've done way, way more for the club get it in the neck for off colour performances (which are usually better than the average Keita performance) . Don't get the love in either.

I'd love it if he proved me wrong, the talent is definitely there. But he's been here 3 years and he's yet to really apply said talent.

12 Mar 2021 00:13:57
Kman regards spewing the likes of Matip for being injured if he stayed fit he’d be in team so would you want rid of Gomez as he has had some serious injuries too. Also who is to say VVD will come back and be niggle free would you want to discard him too then?

{Ed0666's Note - Sod it let’s get rid of Gomez aswell then. The difference between Joe and Joel is that Joe can play two games a week for a sustained period of time before he gets injured but Joel gets injured the game he comes back from injury.

12 Mar 2021 08:24:04
Keita has been an embarrassment, he has no fight, if he gets smashed fist tackle he is out the game for long periods, against Fulham he could of had that game in his pocket but he strolled around like he was Stevie G, sooner he is off the books the better, that's me being kind.

12 Mar 2021 11:47:47
Keita's done out here, man and people need to let it go. We have seen enuff of him to show that he cannot be relied upon on or off the pitch. The guy cannot even be arsed to stay fit which is the least you are asked to do as an elite athlete.

Also, comparing Joel Matip and Joe Gomez in terms of fitness and availability, is just dishonest to the point of the obvious ridiculous.

12 Mar 2021 12:01:23
Olired just so you understand going back the last 5 years premier league appearances.

Gomez. Matip
7. 10
28. 9
16. 22
23. 25
5. 29.

12 Mar 2021 12:32:16
John L8, i feel you've been pretty selective with your stats there. Gomez has 114 appearances in the last 5 seasons. Matip has 123. So yes they are similar over a 5 year period. However only counting this season and last, Gomez has made 55 appearances, and Matip 25. So whilst Gomez had injury issues at the start of his Liverpool career and then got over those issues prior to a freak knee injury, Matip's body seems to breaking down to a point he has barely reached double figures in back to back years.

Also ask yourself how many times Gomez has put a sustained run of 10 games together. It's every year pretty much. Matip rarely plays twice in a row these last 2 seasons, let alone more than that.

Gomez at 23/ 24 also has time on his side unlike 29/ 30 year old Matip.

I'm not saying you're wrong, just highlighting a lack of context around your stats.

12 Mar 2021 13:09:57
Good post MK but this is what makes it all the more ridiculous that we went into this season with only VVD, Gomez and Matip.

It also clearly explains why Klopp was looking at a starter CB to partner VVD. Gomez is great but he can be inconsistent and injury woes are becoming a recurring theme.

In regards to Joel he's been a great servant but his constant injuries hamper us completely. I think it's time he went. I would keep Gomez, he's had horrific injury luck but he's young and shown how good of a player he is.

I feel we should keep either Phillips or Kabak (offload one) as a 4th choice and bring in a potential starter. That would leave our defense with young CB's to build on in the future and put us in a good position in that department going forward.

That's my idea of good squad management.

12 Mar 2021 14:22:19
Mk I haven’t been selective I’ve just pointed out the premier league apps ( bread and butter) for the last 5 years. I’m not trying to have a dig at Gomez I’m saying to those who say Matip is unreliable and think everything will be ok when Joe comes back. I like Matip love it that he got assist in champions league final, Can’t just say get rid of him and keep joe as that’s unfair based on appearances. Matip is a Better player and klopp thinks so too imo.

12 Mar 2021 08:16:16
Ed0666 Matip played more games in premier league year on year than Gomez a quick google confirmation. Shocked? No different, to me Joel a better player obviously klopp thinks so too cos when fit he plays.

{Ed0666's Note - I’m pretty sure klopp prefers Gomez to Matip because of his pace coupled with his ability