---
title: "Liverpool supporters call for Keita to start against Atletico Madrid"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/articles/liverpool-supporters-call-for-keita-to-start-against-atletico-madrid/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Articles"
published: "2020-02-18T13:00:00Z"
modified: "2020-02-18T13:00:00Z"
---

# Liverpool supporters call for Keita to start against Atletico Madrid

Liverpool take on Atletico Madrid on Tuesday evening, in what promises to be an intriguing contest.

The Reds return to the Wanda Metropolitano for the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie, looking to continue the defence of their [European crown](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48368443).

While Jurgen Klopp has built a formidable squad of players at Anfield – one that is capable of thriving through rotation – much of Liverpool’s ‘best’ team picks itself these days.

Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson make up the undisputed first-choice back-line, conceding just once in the Premier League [since early December](https://www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/Games/129).

Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino are guaranteed starters in attack.

Liverpool’s midfield is the most competitive area of the pitch, with six or seven top players fighting for playing time.

Ahead of the Atletico clash, these Reds supporters have been revealing which three players should start in Madrid, with Naby Keita receiving plenty of love, as well as the often-used trio of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum.

> Spoiler alert: LFC’s team tomorrow will be Alisson; TAA, Gomez, VVD, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mané.
>
> I’d start Keita because they’ll do what Napoli did — sit deep in a 442 — and force us wide and he’s our best midfielder between the lines.
>
> — John O'Sullivan (@NotoriousJOS) [February 17, 2020](https://twitter.com/NotoriousJOS/status/1229441289046970368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

https://twitter.com/lfcctom/status/1229024361010671616?s=20

https://twitter.com/ShahRahman1712/status/1229410998454538240?s=20

https://twitter.com/TheNelsonBird/status/1229718272045731840?s=20

> Gini, Fab, Henderson. I think this is the easiest xI to predict all season
>
> — Ste Davies (@StevenD1977) [February 18, 2020](https://twitter.com/StevenD1977/status/1229718281529044992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> I’d go Fabinho, Henderson, Wijnaldum. Midfield is where it will be won and lost. We need strength and legs in there.
>
> — T (@TVR\_LFC) [February 18, 2020](https://twitter.com/TVR_LFC/status/1229717171233837056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

https://twitter.com/HamzahAbbas\_/status/1229716897127682048?s=20

https://twitter.com/DataLfc/status/1229716801916895233?s=20

> Hendo, Gini, Keita
>
> Keita over Fab just bc he is probably a little less rusty
>
> — Ross McWilliams (@rmw\_lfc) [February 18, 2020](https://twitter.com/rmw_lfc/status/1229716651488284672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

https://twitter.com/PA\_BAIcon/status/1229716594894557184?s=20

> Fab, Hendo, Gini. It's good
>
> — §tylez 🤙 (@Styletix) [February 18, 2020](https://twitter.com/Styletix/status/1229716503802470400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)