Compare Naby Keita's statistics against Porto at his first appearance in Liverpool

Fast readings

Naby Keita took some time to settle in Liverpool, but his recent performances suggest he is now well used to life in Anfield.

Keita's arrival this summer was full of expectations after Liverpool's wait a year before the midfielder left RB Leipzig for a 53 million pound contract.

The 24-year-old slowly started his career in the Reds but scored in his last two appearances. We compared his stats in his last match against Porto on his first start in Liverpool against West Ham in August.

Attacker

While Keita started both games in midfield three against West Ham, he was alongside Georginio Wijnaldum and James Milner, while against Porto, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson joined midfield.

The most obvious difference between the two performances is that he scored a goal against Porto, but by a deflection. Klopp said, "I loved the goal (of Keita). It was deflected, but it was a situation we wanted, the half-space we wanted to use.

Although Liverpool has the same share of possession in both games, or 64%, Keita managed to get more involved in the offensive phase against Porto.

The Guinean international has created more opportunities (two to one), had more shots (two to one), completed more dribbling (three to two) and benefited from more touches (88 to 81). ).

It may be only slight increases, but it is indicative of widespread increases, suggesting that the player is now more confident about his role on the team.

Ladies and gentlemen, Naby Keïta has arrived. ? pic.twitter.com/JvoU1f1tQN

– LFCSnapped (@ LFCSnapped) April 9, 2019

In defense

We have to find the right balance between when to attack and when to defend in Klopp's midfield, and it is in Keita's work out of the ball that he may have been the more improved.

He has completed eight tackles against Porto, doubling his next teammate, Roberto Firmino, against a single against West Ham.

Two interceptions also saw Keita beat the number (a) he scored against West Ham.

And Klopp is clearly impressed by the player's improvement.

"Naby was a little unlucky in some situations and had to find his way back into the matches if you wish," said the Liverpool boss after the win over Porto. "But he was in the game from the beginning.

"We were hoping that would be so because, last match, it improved from minute to minute. So we wanted to take advantage of it. He was really good. "

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