Liverpool legend gives damming Keita verdict despite wonder goal

Liverpool legend Dietmar Hamman didn’t hold back on his opinion of Naby Keita after the midfielder’s performance against Atletico Madrid.

Naby Keita is ‘not good enough’ to play for Liverpool, says Dietmar Hamman.

The Guinea international’s performance in Tuesday’s Champions League visit to Atletico Madrid drew mixed reviews. On one hand, Keita scored a brilliant volley from outside of the box. But he was beaten easily in the build-up to both of Antoine Griezmann’s goals, first by Thomas Lemar and then by Joao Felix.

This goal was special from Naby Keita. What a hit! 😍

📽 @ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/j6FXGe9REX

— Football Tekkers (@BallTekkers) October 22, 2021

As a result, Jurgen Klopp replaced Keita with Fabinho for the second half. Liverpool were able to keep a 10-man Atletico at bay and won the game 3-2 after Mohamed Salah scored a 78th-minute penalty.

But while Klopp has refused to blame Keita for Atletico’s two goals, Hamman disagreed with the Reds boss.

“I’ve got to say, I think Keita was at fault for both goals,” the former German midfielder told talkSPORT. “I know he’s had some injuries, but I don’t think he’s good enough for Liverpool.

“If you score a goal like he did, you should be full of confidence, you have to do your defensive duties and I get the feeling he just wants to play with the ball and when Liverpool have got possession.

“You just can’t do that and he’s not good enough to do that. The way he got beaten for the first two goals was just too easy.”

Keita will hope to prove Hamman wrong in Liverpool’s visit to Old Trafford on Sunday to face Manchester United in the Premier League.