Liverpool fans were left dismayed with the performance of midfielder Naby Keita against Tottenham.
The 26-year-old played 90 minutes as the Reds left North London following an enthralling 2-2 draw.
Despite being part of a makeshift midfield and only recently returning from injury, the Guinean left numerous Kopites unimpressed on Twitter.
Keita is just not good enough for #LFC
— Brad (@Brad1992_) December 19, 2021
https://twitter.com/azanam1r/status/1472622570050670596
That’s so so weak from Naby Keita. Bottles the tackle big time #TOTLIV
— Jamie Holme (@JamieHolme) December 19, 2021
Naby Keita putting in one of the worst 90 mins I've seen since Dejan Lovren vs West Ham at home in 14/15.
Couldn't pass, couldn't tackle, gets played around pressing pointlessly for their 2nd goal. Played like a player needing 20/30mins returning from injury.
— John Stocker (@John_Stocker7) December 19, 2021
Albeit of little consolation to supporters on social media, Keita earned an impressive 7.20 Sofascore rating in a performance that included three interceptions and eight tackles.
📊 | Naby Keita vs Tottenham Hotspur:
79 touches
2 interceptions
8 tackles won ❗
12 ground duels won
2/3 dribbles completed
1 chance createdA performance that deserved a better result. pic.twitter.com/KDOlNYiSvH
— The Anfield Buzz (@TheAnfieldBuzz) December 19, 2021
So far this season the 44-cap ace has scored three times and provided one assist in 13 appearances across all competitions.
READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT
Some of the criticism is harsh in the extreme this time around.
Whilst Keita has been far from stride perfect since arriving on Merseyside, with fitness and injury so often stunting any progress, this was far from a performance worthy of lamenting.
This remains a crunch period for the Guinean at Anfield as the £28.8million valued man enters the final 18 months of a contract (Transfermarkt).
