Liverpool have already replaced Georginio Wijnaldum with Guinean midfielder Naby Keita, according to former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson.
Speaking to Football Insider, former Tottenham Hotspur and England goalkeeper Paul Robinson has opined that Liverpool have already managed to secure a replacement for departed midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum in the form of Naby Keita.
Liverpool lost Wijnaldum, who had been an integral part of the team for years, this past summer. The Dutchman opted to join Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer after his contract with the Reds ran out. However, the club did not sign a new midfielder to fill the void left by his exit.
Instead, manager Jurgen Klopp initially counted on Harvey Elliott, who unfortunately picked up a season-ending injury. Curtis Jones has also gained more minutes. But it is Naby Keita who has benefited the most from Wijnaldum’s departure. The Guinean, who has had to battle fitness problems since arriving at Anfield, has grown into a regular in the current season.
So far, the former RB Leipzig midfielder has featured nine times across all competitions for Liverpool this term, scoring three goals and setting up another. Keita put up one of his best displays in the weekend win over Manchester United. And Robinson has now claimed that Liverpool have found their Wijnaldum replacement in the 26-year-old.
“He’s taken on a role this season he didn’t have last year. Wijnaldum played a lot of the games but he’s at a point where he’s going to get more game time. The three in midfield, with Milner and Henderson, their combined ages would suggest they’re not going to be able to play 60 games each this year,” he said.
“It’s going to be a squad game for Liverpool this year and it’s a role Keita’s going to have to take. To take on the mantle of Wijnaldum and what he did last year. Based on Sunday’s performance, as long he’s not injured for any length of time, he can do that.”
Unfortunately for Keita, he picked up yet another injury in the previous game against Manchester United after he was on the receiving end of a dangerous tackle from Paul Pogba. As a result, the Guinean international is likely to miss Liverpool’s Carabao Cup Round of 16 clash against Preston North End.
