This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
It was an assured display, in the end, from Liverpool against RB Salzburg on Tuesday.
The first half was a bit of a struggle for the Reds. The Austrian side took the game to their opponents and managed six shots on target. Fortunately, they couldn’t bury any of those many chances they had. After the break, Liverpool took control, and once Naby Keita had opened the scoring, there was only ever going to be one winner.
This was only the Senegal international’s sixth start of the season, and he has been given the chance to be included in the first XI in both of the last two fixtures. This has come about largely due to Fabinho’s injury, and it is an opportunity the 24-year-old has grabbed with both hands. By netting in each of those two clashes, whilst also providing an assist, Jurgen Klopp may have found an extra weapon to his arsenal: an attacking threat from the middle of the park.
He is not blessed with goals in midfield. Between them, James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, Fabinho and Georginio Wijnaldum have nine goals between them this campaign, and they have played 70 times between them already. Keita, meanwhile, has two in six starts, which obviously represents a far better ratio than any of those previously mentioned.
Wijnaldum’s lack of attacking threat is particularly interesting. For his country, the Netherlands international is fantastic in front of goal – he was their top goalscorer in Euro 2020 qualifying with eight strikes – and some fans have begged Klopp to use him in a more offensive role. However, he has just three goals in all competitions this term to date, which is just one more than the former RB Leipzig man despite him having started 13 more matches.
Keita may just be the player people have been wanting the 29-year-old to be. Even in those few appearances, it is already clear the Reds’ number eight offers far more going forward. In the Champions League, for example, he has averaged 2.3 shots per game, one key pass and 2.8 dribbles. Wijnaldum’s stats in those areas read one, 0.5 and 1.3.
Can you name the result these iconic Liverpool images belong to? Give it a go now…
Fabinho’s return should give Klopp a decision to make. Who will drop out of the team to make way for the Brazil international? On current form, it would be impossible to remove Keita. Things can change very quickly in football, but £45m-valued Wijnaldum – as per Transfermarkt – may need to show he can offer the same threat as his midfield rival, or it could be his place that is in danger.
Meanwhile, Liverpool fans react to one impressive Mohamed Salah stat.