Naby Keita is out of Liverpool’s FA Cup third round clash with Aston Villa, Jurgen Klopp has confirmed.
The Reds head to Villa Park on Friday night, looking for a rare good run in the competition.
Klopp is expected to ring the changes for the game, allowing key men to recharge their batteries after a gruelling Premier League schedule.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Thursday, the Liverpool manager confirmed that Keita was still absent:
Naby Keita back "soon" but not for Villa game.
— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) January 7, 2021
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The hope is that the Guinean will be back in time for Liverpool’s vital meeting with Manchester United at Anfield a week on Sunday.
Keita’s continued injury problems are proving to be so frustrating, as he struggles to find any kind of rhythm in the team.
When he is fit, the 25-year-old can be such an asset, both on and off the ball, averaging an 89.9 percent pass completion rate in the Premier League this season, as well as 1.1 tackles and interceptions apiece per game.
