Liverpool news: Pundit issues ‘unexpected’ Naby Keita claim after what he’s just seen
Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita has “not delivered” since arriving to Anfield, according to Paul Robinson.
The former Spurs and England number one, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 27-year-old has not lived up to expectations and is down the pecking order on Merseyside.
Keita was a second-half substitute in Tuesday’s 1-0 Champions League defeat to Inter Milan.
Curtis Jones, Thiago Alcantara and Fabinho were preferred by Jurgen Klopp for the crucial second leg.
However, Robinson insisted the centre-midfielder has a key role to play for Jurgen Klopp’s side given the age of his teammates.
“He hasn’t delivered,” he told Football Insider. “He hasn’t been the player we expected.
“Let’s be honest, when Thiago is fit he plays.
“Keita hasn’t produced consistently at a level I’m sure he would have liked to. When he has been given his opportunity, it has only been for a short time.
“Liverpool should not have allowed [Georginio] Wijnaldum to leave so easily last summer. Jordan Henderson and James Milner are not getting any younger.
“Even though Keita has not performed as well as expected he is still a very important part of this squad. Football is more of a squad game than it’s ever been. I still expect him to be there next season.”
Keita has made 24 appearances across all competitions this season, with three goals and one assist to his name.
His contract runs until the summer of 2023.
In other news, an expert has claimed Liverpool have a ‘contract on the table’ after Romano’s ‘100 per cent’ Klopp update.