Liverpool receive Naby Keita injury boost ahead of midweek Preston clash
Liverpool receive Naby Keita injury boost ahead of midweek Preston clash
Liverpool boosted amidst Keita fitness concern
Liverpool triumphantly march into their midweek fixture programme against Championship outfit Preston North End after their resounding 5-0 demolition of bitter rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday evening, and are set to be boosted by midfielder Naby Keita avoiding serious injury during the clash of English titans.
🚨 NEW: Liverpool are confident that Naby Keita has not suffered a serious injury following the challenge from Paul Pogba in their 5-0 thrashing of Manchester United on Sunday. #awlive [the athletic] pic.twitter.com/7ZDtWQnLuh
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) October 26, 2021
Keita was subject to a hard challenge from United and France ace Paul Pogba during the second half, which saw the French international see a straight red for his efforts in the 61st-minute after a VAR check confirmed his marching orders after match referee Anthony Taylor had originally only produced a yellow.
But the Guinean international has lucked out and avoided serious physical repercussions according to Anfield Watch.
Citing The Athletic and Liverpool correspondent Simon Hughes, Liverpool can count their lucky stars after The Athletic “understands Keita was able to stand and join in with the celebrations. He did not need crutches and Liverpool expect any bruising to settle down quickly.”
Liverpool future still up in the air for Guinean star
Naby Keita was once one of the most sought after midfielders in Europe after his brilliant stint at Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig before Liverpool snapped up the Guinean international for £50million in the summer of 2018.
But over three seasons later, Keita has yet to truly cement his place as a key piece of the puzzle at Anfield under Jürgen Klopp.
Though his talent cannot possibly be denied, a combination of injury struggles and inconsistent performances (not necessarily with any fault of his own) has stripped the mobile central figure of a chance to replicate his form seen at Red Bull Arena.
BARCELONA, SPAIN – MAY 01: Naby Keita of Liverpool walks off the pitch after being injured during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final first leg match between Barcelona and Liverpool at the Nou Camp on May 01, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
Keita has however managed to start four matches in the eight Premier League fixtures he has been available for, while also starting two of Liverpool’s three Champions League fixtures.
If he can maintain his fitness this season and find the consistency that he is capable of producing, this could certainly be the season that Naby Keita truly finds his feet on Merseyside.
