Keita and Lallana are “not up to the job”, says Aldridge

Naby Keita and Adam Lallana are “not up to the job” of starting for a title-challenging team, according to Liverpool legend John Aldridge.

The Reds have suffered a blip since returning from their training camp in Dubai, drawing back-to-back games against Leicester City and West Ham.

Jurgen Klopp’s side now find themselves behind Manchester City on goal difference, following the champions’ 2-0 win at Everton on Wednesday night.

Injuries have not helped Liverpool’s current plight, with Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum both missing.

It has meant Keita and Lallana have featured prominently, but neither have impressed consistently.

Aldridge is unhappy with the pair and told Independent.ie they are not good enough to be playing regularly, as the business end of the season arrives:

Adam Lallana and Naby Keita cannot play together in midfield again, as they are just not up to the job for a title-winning team.

My first impressions of Lallana when he came to Liverpool were not positive and while he proved me wrong to an extent with some good performances before his recent injury problems, it looks like he is struggling to get back to those levels once again after so long in the treatment room.

As for Keita, he has not settled at Liverpool and has failed to deliver the performances we were expecting from him, with Klopp and his coaching staff fighting to get him up to speed and still waiting to see if he will be good enough to play in this team.

Liverpool face a must-win game at home to Bournemouth on Saturday, as Klopp’s men look to get back on track.

Whether Keita and Lallana start again remains to be seen, but more is required from the duo.