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Guinea's midfielder runs the risk of being a very popular flop in Liverpool
The Guinean international was signed by RasenBallsport Leipzig for £ 52.5 million in great pomp, the agreement originally announced in August 2017.
While the Reds were forced to wait for his arrival after getting his signature, apparently in front of other European heavyweights, Keita has not yet demonstrated the kind of form he had shown during the meteoric rise of Leipzig .
Indeed, it would not be an exaggeration to claim that the midfielder was one of the key players in the Bundesliga playoffs.
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He imposed himself as a huge force – both offensive and defensive – in Germany, making 15 decisive contributions in his first Bundesliga campaign.
These numbers dropped to 11 in the last quarter – six goals and five badists – but few would have expected Keita's total production to have declined significantly in England.
After 23 outings in Liverpool, Keita only scored one pbad in the 4-3 win over Crystal Palace and has not scored yet.
Although it certainly took some time to adjust to the highest level, a player who might once have been considered a good deal may now look like an expensive flop.
At least his teammates think there is light at the end of the tunnel.
"Everyone can see how good Naby is as a footballer," Reds captain Jordan Henderson told reporters earlier this week. "But I know myself in Liverpool, it's such a huge club and especially in the Premier League, it's tough.
"It takes time to adapt."
To date, Keita has made 19 appearances in the first division, and four more in the Champions League.
He struggles to establish himself as an undisputed starter at Anfield, with nine of his 23 selections to date from the bench.
"He played very well in some games," added Henderson. "I see him getting used to our way of playing and the manager helps him improve.
"I can certainly see the potential that emerges from him," he concluded, "but it takes time to feel at home.
"In the last two games you can see the quality that he gives to the team and how good he is."
Henderson made his remarks before Liverpool's midweek draw against Bayern Munich, opponents against whom Keita has had mixed fortunes in the past.
He had memorably won a 2-1 victory for Leipzig against Bayern in March 2018 – his last time against them – but was also part of the team that had been beaten 5-4 at home by the national giants in the One of the matches of the 2016-17 Bundesliga season.
The UEFA Champions League final in midweek against Bayern was a perfect opportunity for Keita to build on his encouraging performance against Bournemouth this weekend and to reaffirm his qualities at a shock confrontation.
The former England striker, Dublin Dublin, speaking on BBC Sport, was only the observer impressed by the performance of West Africa in the draw 0-0.
"I think Naby Keita played well tonight," said the former Coventry City man. "He had a lot of ball and tried to create opportunities."
Admittedly, the movement, the application and, to a large extent, the use of the midfield ball suggested that he was growing in Liverpool's life as a player.
However, his decision-making leaves much to be desired, while wasting time in his shot – none of his three efforts paid off.
On two occasions he was guilty of bad pbades and had lost the ball twice.
It was far from a perfect exit, but there was at least evidence that, now that everything was in order, Keita's confidence returned and he regained his place as a Liverpool player.
Nevertheless, he has wonderful control with his left foot, tight tackles and the ability to carry the ball beyond the opponents.
Critically, against Bayern, Keita seemed to want to take on more responsibility and become more involved in the process.
Coming from Leipzig to Liverpool was always going to be a huge step forward, but Keita seems on the verge of demonstrating the quality that he has shown – apparently so easily – in Germany.
Sunday's clash against Manchester United will it be an opportunity where the man of 50 million euros will finally "arrived" in English football?
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