Liverpool fell below their normal standards on Tuesday evening, suffering a potentially damaging 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
The Reds will now return to Anfield knowing that an away goal from Diego Simeone’s side will require them to score at least three times to progress to the quarter-finals.
It was a night where Jurgen Klopp’s side never really got going as they allowed Saul Niguez to score early before failing to have a single shot on target themselves.
Liverpool’s midfield was arguably the weakest area of the pitch on the night, with Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum all seemginly struggling to impact the game in an attacking sense.
Naby Keita was among the substitutes at the Wanda Metropolitano, but he didn’t got on the pitch, as Klopp brought on Divock Origi, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner.
These Liverpool supporters are keen to see more of Keita from this point on with some feeling he brings something different to the Reds’ midfield and pointing out that he is a better option than other members of the squad.
Naby Keïta in the Premier League this season averages more tackles and more interceptions per game than Gini Wijnaldum. Guess which one is labelled as a defensive liability.
— Will (@lfcwiII) February 19, 2020
Really felt like Liverpool needed Naby Keita in this game. His ball carrying forward in closed midfield spaces, his ability to thread passes in-behind the oppositional defense and his overall line breaking qualities would have been very useful.
— Maxi (@MaaxiAngelo) February 18, 2020
https://twitter.com/NDK8A/status/1229862627779776513?s=20
Naby Keita is KEY! I’ve been saying this. #LFC
— Timmy Robson (@WaveyTimz277) February 18, 2020
Fabinho. Keita. Hendo (providing he's fit)
This should be the ONLY midfield line up for the return leg at Anfield.#LFC
— Matt (@LFC_Matt88) February 19, 2020
Absolute crime that we didn’t start or feature Naby Keita tonight. Should’ve started 100%. Having a midfield without him or Ox is always bound to struggle.
— Samuel (@SamueILFC) February 18, 2020
https://twitter.com/AlissonEdition/status/1229922458809044993?s=20
Comments.
Loading comments…