---
title: "Liverpool fans applaud Naby Keita ‘masterclass’ in Carabao Cup victory"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/liverpool-fans-applaud-naby-keita-masterclass-in-carabao-cup-victory/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2021-12-23T07:30:00Z"
modified: "2021-12-23T07:30:00Z"
---

# Liverpool fans applaud Naby Keita ‘masterclass’ in Carabao Cup victory

[Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/12/22/virals-club-director-speaks-out-on-liverpool-target-kacper-kozlowski/) emerged victorious following penalties from an enthralling Carabao Cup clash with Leicester City at Anfield.

The Reds had trailed [3-1 at half-time](https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1473754028169441281) as a makeshift starting XI struggled to cope with the strength of the visitors.

Not satisfied with leaving the competition with a whimper at the quarter-final stage, Jurgen Klopp made [three changes at the break](https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1473758122997129225) to alter the entire contest.

Diogo Jota, James Milner and Ibrahima Konate began the turnaround before [Naby Keita](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/12/20/simon-jordan-calls-for-an-end-to-afcon-madness/) was introduced on the hour mark.

The Guinean was instrumental in [shifting the momentum](https://twitter.com/JamesPearceLFC/status/1473801953939537920) and goals from Jota and Takumi Minamino took the tie to penalties.

These Kopites were left delighted with the 26-year-old’s cameo display as a rapturous Anfield crowd revelled in the success.

> Keita is unreal, has to start whenever he’s fit
>
> — Shaun (@Shaun\_Matthews\_) [December 22, 2021](https://twitter.com/Shaun_Matthews_/status/1473768705100337153?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> This Keita masterclass cannot be in vain…
>
> — Laurie (@LFCLaurie) [December 22, 2021](https://twitter.com/LFCLaurie/status/1473769458049159170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Keita was absolutely immense when he came on and changed the game. Konate, Milner and Jota boss but special mention for Naby. [#LFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/LFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — Graeme Kelly (@GraemeKelly1) [December 22, 2021](https://twitter.com/GraemeKelly1/status/1473774572386373638?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Konate and Keita absolutely superb when they came on. Jota with another great finish too.
>
> — Leanne Prescott (@\_lfcleanne) [December 22, 2021](https://twitter.com/_lfcleanne/status/1473778991781883905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> This Keita cameo is up there with Hamann in Instanbul
>
> — 𝑇𝑇 (@LFCMaxs) [December 22, 2021](https://twitter.com/LFCMaxs/status/1473770725429420035?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> You don’t understand how good Keita can be when put alongside Fab and Thiago. He will be a monster.
>
> — Jack Moore (@Jack\_Moore7) [December 22, 2021](https://twitter.com/Jack_Moore7/status/1473777922045526021?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Keita earned a [7.20 Sofascore rating](https://www.sofascore.com/player/naby-keita/365772) whilst making two key passes and an audacious nutmeg on James Maddison.

### READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT

Spectacular.

Albeit in a perhaps lesser valued competition, that second-half performance was up there with the best in the [Klopp era](https://www.planetfootball.com/quick-reads/ten-games-that-were-key-to-jurgen-klopps-liverpool-conquering-the-world/).

Liverpool fans have been waiting for displays such as this from Keita since the midfielder arrived and unfortunately, they’ve been [deprived due to injury](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/naby-keita/verletzungen/spieler/302215) all too often.

Hopefully, this will be the start of many more as well as another [step on the road](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59760127) to a Wembley final.