The number 8 shirt at Liverpool is a big shirt to fill. For over a decade it was worn by no other than legendary midfielder Steven Gerrard. Yet, it appears that Liverpool has found a man who fits the shirt like a glove. I am of course talking about Naby Keita.
He Signed way back on the 28th of August last year from everyone’s favourite franchise Red Bull Leipzig on a pre-contract for £48 Million. The hype around this guy has been like a rollercoaster, once he signed Merseyside went crazy. Fan accounts were made, montages uploaded to YouTube, and stats shared for all to see on twitter. However, after the antics of last seasons incredible Champions League run and the birth of the Egyptian King Mo Salah, Keita quietly took a back seat and watched from a distance.
Just like any good rollercoaster, there’s more than one drop and that is what we are currently experiencing. Keita set the Premier League ablaze with his performance in Liverpool’s 4-0 walloping of West Ham. One ‘Man of The Match‘ display doesn’t win you player of the year, but it doesn’t hurt your chances.
At the ripe old age of 23, the Guinea-born midfielder has a bright future ahead of him and with a 5-year contract under his belt, someone will have to pay a pretty penny to pry him away from Jurgen Klopp’s arms.
There’s been a lot of talk of who did the best transfer business this window. Now there are a lot of contenders for that accolade (excluding Spurs). Wolves being one of the contenders but you can’t look any further than Liverpool. Alisson, Fabinho, and Shaqiri have all joined the reds this year. However, Liverpool also bagged them self the award for best transfer window last season. Just no one knew it until now!
It’ll be a long old season for Liverpool, one filled with expectation. Bookies have backed the reds as second favourites to nab the title and with Man City’s star man Kevin De Bruyne side-lined for the foreseeable future with a knee injury, Keita has the opportunity to become the new king of midfield.
Is this the rebirth of the famous number 8 role at Liverpool or just another starlet destined to fail? Looks like only time will tell but for now, sit back, relax and enjoy watching Liverpool play the beautiful game. Magical isn’t it.
