Jurgen Klopp has admitted that summer signing Naby Keita hasn’t yet reached the same levels as he did for RB Leipzig last season.
A couple of niggling injuries have hampered the £52 million man so far in his Liverpool career as he has struggled to make a stamp on the first team. However, his manager was quick to reaffirm his believe in the Guinean midfielder.
“I spoke to Naby. Everything is fine. I am completely happy with Naby,” Klopp told Liverpool’s official website.
“Could he be a bit more confident in the games? Yes. Is he exactly the player in his best time at Leipzig? No. He is still adapting, that’s how it is.
“Everyone saw at the beginning of the season how brilliant he played. Tottenham was a fantastic game from him, without thinking too much.
“A little injury here, a little injury there, and it was kind of a little setback but he is a fantastic player and I am really happy to have him here.
“It is so good and I am looking forward to our common future. You see it every day, wow, there is so much to come and there is so much influence he can have on each game.
“There was no reason (for leaving him out), just other boys were in a good shape as well, a bit was positioning, the system, all that stuff, and that’s how football decisions are.
“There is really no doubt about the boy, he is an outstanding player.”