Naby Keita arrived on English shores last summer as one of the most exciting new signings in years.
Liverpool had acquired the Guinean from RB Leipzig the previous year, but a tantalising 12-month wait to see him in a Reds shirt continued to see his stock grow.
An eye-catching pre-season did little to hamper Keita’s huge reputation, but what followed was a curiously underwhelming campaign.
There were moments of magic and a number of perfectly adequate performances, but not enough of the genius that had been promised.
Injuries didn’t help, and adjusting to life in the Premier League is never easy, but more was expected and Keita failed to deliver, on the whole.
As a new season lies beautifully on the horizon, the 24-year-old finds himself in a position where he is ready to take off in English football.
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Chances are, Keita will spend the very early weeks of the season on the substitutes’ bench, due mainly to fitness issues in the summer.
Such are the wealth of options at Jurgen Klopp’s disposal, whether it be Fabinho, Jordan Henderson or Gini Wijnaldum, there is no need to rush Keita into the side.
Sunday’s Community Shield defeat to Manchester City was a perfect taster of what the former Leipzig star can offer, though.
As soon as Keita came on, Liverpool’s midfield was injected with another dimension and a new lease of life.
All of a sudden there was genuine purpose in the middle of the park, with the Reds’ diminutive No.8 always forward-thinking in his approach.
Prior to his introduction, the aforementioned trio of Fabinho, Henderson and Wijnaldum had felt lacking in risk-taking ability, but Keita was immediately capable of breaking the lines and providing some unpredictability.
He almost scored a late winner at Wembley, which would have rounded off an impressive showing, but there were still clear positives to take from his performance.
Such is the fickle nature of modern football, a year on from his arrival Keita no longer carries the reputation as a truly elite central midfielder – something he undoubtedly still is.
Having less pressure on his shoulders may actually help him thrive, though, and there is a strong possibility that he will explode in 2019/20.
A run in the side and a spell without injury is essential, but such are his outstanding levels of ability, once he nails down a regular spot he will never look back.
Keita will eventually turn Liverpool into an even more fearsome proposition.
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