10 Jan 2018 00:50:51
Im para phrasing here but danny murphy has basically said that keita is another jordan henderson and adds no creativity or power as he puts it to midfield.

I have limited experience of keita but from what i have seen he is nothing like henderson, my question really is what exactly will keita bring to the team and is murphy correct in his assessment.


1.) 10 Jan 2018
10 Jan 2018 01:09:12
Danny Murphy is far from the brightest, to be honest. It is clear that he has never actually seen Keita play before because Henderson and Keita have very different styles.

Henderson is about breaking up play, pressing with regularity whether it is the 5th minute or 90th. He is also a decent passer of the ball, although I do agree that often his passes go backwards or sideways (Usually due to a lack of options but at times he does seem to hesitate on the ball and by then the chance to play the ball has gone. )

Keita is very capable on the ball, from what I have seen dribbling whether in tight spaces or open ones are his main strength. Keita is a difficult player to get off the ball, he can wriggle away from mounting pressure and use his pace to leave you in the dirt. He is hard working too, but from what I have seen his passing is lacking. He tends to play the short or simple pass, he never looks to play long passes or creative ones unless he has no other options, and, when he does, the pass is often overhit. I have watched a fair bit of German football and these are just a few things I have noticed. Keita is a very good player with the potential to be a main stay in the team for years to come. However, there are areas of his game he needs to work on and, with Klopp at the helm, I suspect you will see improvements over time.

Oh, also, as has become apparent this season, Keita seems to have lost his more competitive edge in matches. He does not resemble the man of last season who had a very serious case for being one of the top players in Germany. This year Keita looks disinterested, doesn't put a great deal of effort when tracking back to his position. I suspect this is because his head is already at Liverpool and he does not want to be in RBL. Not the best mentality but it is just my suspicion and not actual fact.

I hope this helps, I am lucky to watch a fair bit of German football and thought I would share my opinion on the two. As I said, Keita and Henderson are nothing alike and Danny Murphy needs to actually do his homework rather than spout absolute nonsense.


2.) 10 Jan 2018
10 Jan 2018 01:17:24
Murphy is talking absolute bollocks. Keita will be the main "driver" of our midfield, picking up the ball from deep. He will be relied upon to be our main creative outlet from midfield whilst also contributing to defence, pressing of opposition etc. Keita is very very talented with an energy that perhaps can match that of Ngolo Kante. Ignore Murphy, he is the complete opposite to what Henderson has sadly become for us, Keita is a dynamo with the ability to play incisive one touch football or score from 30+ yards. Keita will be, and already is to some extent, special.


3.) 10 Jan 2018
10 Jan 2018 01:34:27
He is the engine that drives the machine much like Kante.


4.) 10 Jan 2018
10 Jan 2018 01:58:10
Are u serius lad? U listen to that AH? He's worse than Trump

U can find analysis of Keita's game on Youtube. There's one worth watching. After reading and watching several analysis I can conclude that he's the player we are missing in our midfield. He has a great engine, can carry the ball, likes to dribble and waltz through the midfield and if there's no better option he continues and attacks the defence, makes space for a shot and usually ends up scoring from the edge of the box. It doesn't work everytime as u can imagine.

He uses his dribbling quality and speed to that (little bit like Mane but better in terms of dribbling) . The other thing he does frequently is through balls, he always tries them and more often than not succeeds (prefers short passes so can't judge him on long passes) . He also intercepts very well as he has the ability to read the plays and also uses his speed to do that. Tackles when needed but can be reckless at times (like Dele Ali) . Not sure if I can judge his defensive work like getting back in time during opposition attacks, defending set pieces, following instructions.

Anyway, he's not a CDM neither an AM. He's really box to box with creativity, assists and goals in him. So, he's exactly the player we are missing in midfield as Can, Henderson and Gini aren't good enough or have zero creativity against EUROLINES/

Hope that helps.


5.) 10 Jan 2018
10 Jan 2018 03:09:20
Danny never was the brightest.


6.) 10 Jan 2018
10 Jan 2018 03:22:10
The only assessment here to be made is of Danny Murphy's mental state. Even a YouTube highlight reel will show Keita is nothing like Henderson in style of play. Keita is pacy, energetic and drives the ball from midfield to attack in no time at all. He is everything Hendo should have been.


7.) 10 Jan 2018
10 Jan 2018 03:28:05
Murphy is a pundit who used to play football but has little to no knowledge of the game as a whole and who is paid to make statements that stir debate - take his guff with a pinch of salt.


8.) 10 Jan 2018
10 Jan 2018 08:43:14
Thanks lads, i suspected he was sprouting for click bait. I too think keita can be something special with the right guidance. Not quite a gerrard replacement but gerrardesque in terms of box to box ability. Hopefully he regains his drive when he joins in the summer.


9.) 10 Jan 2018
10 Jan 2018 08:48:26
I'm not an expert on football. I don't know how anywhere near as much as most people. But one thing I can tell you for certain - Danny Murphy as a pundit is a waste of oxygen, a man who spouts pseudo-controversial nonsense because he knows it will get him and his publications mentions and that he has absolutely nothing of greater value to add.


10.) 10 Jan 2018
10 Jan 2018 09:16:10
My God listen to you all. He had an opinion and its the wrong one, but he's a good pundit, is actually very sharp and knowledgable, and had a cracking career here, we cluld definitely do with him now as he's twice the player can is. Show a little respect.


11.) 10 Jan 2018
10 Jan 2018 09:58:05
Murphy clearly doesn’t watch any football outside of the premier league.


12.) 10 Jan 2018
10 Jan 2018 11:08:08
"Keita isn't as creative as Mascherano"
"Keita is like Henderson"
"Liverpool need a 20+ goal striker" (ignores Salah's 17 goal tally)

He has lost the plot.


13.) 10 Jan 2018
10 Jan 2018 11:10:16
ChampMan it's not just one bad opinion but three, and they are all baffling.


14.) 10 Jan 2018
10 Jan 2018 12:25:25
From what I've seen which is admittedly limited, he's been nothing special to watch, being rather badly disciplined and hasn't shone in their team. That is purely what i've seen of the 5 or 6 games I've tuned into.

Is he actually as good as everyone on here seems to think? Honest question as I haven't watched him week in week out. Anyone on here watch the Bundesliga regularly?


15.) 10 Jan 2018
10 Jan 2018 15:01:04
DeanW, I can gurantee you that Keita is special. He is much better than our current midfield options. Keita had the likes of Barca, Arsenal, Bayern all interested in his signature. Whilst this season he has been rash and not quite hit the performances of last year (which was a very high bar anyway) he is still young, cleanly doesn't want to be at Leipzig (which is not an excuse) and to be honest still has put in some great games this season. In short, I wouldn't worry.

{Ed025's Note - hes quality mate..


16.) 10 Jan 2018
10 Jan 2018 15:29:23
Nice! Thanks for the reply tsteen!