3
KLOPP: NABY HAS MADE A BIG STEP UP RYAN: COME ON YOU REDS
JURGEN KLOPP has hailed Naby Keita’s best performance for Liverpool – and won’t lose patience with the £53million midfielder.
(below) was singled out for praise by Klopp on the pitch after the final whistle and told he’d made a “big step” forward.
He ran the game from deep in midfield, including a brilliant defence-opening pass in the build up to Mo Salah’s goal. Klopp said: “This was a really good game. There is still a lot to come because he is still adapting. “People lose patience, that’s normal – but we don’t. “You have to talk and explain. For a young boy – he’s only 24 – he’s made a big move from Leipzig to Liverpool and wants to do it right.
“Against Bournemouth it looked natural. That’s exactly where we wanted it to come and where we wanted it to go. It was the big step he needed.
“We have a lot of options – Jordan Henderson could have played. Adam Lallana could have played again, but it was clear Naby was pretty much one of the first on the teamsheet.”
Klopp wants his big-money man to find his rhythm and added: “I’ve said it pretty much about all of the new players, we are really demanding. The boys have a lot to learn – but it’s not constantly about that.” RYAN FRASER is backing Liverpool to pip Manchester City to the title.
The Bournemouth defender says he “likes watching good football”, so it’s the Reds for him in the battle at the top.
The Cherries’ stifling tactics didn’t work as Liverpool unpicked their banked-up defences.
Fraser (right) said: “They’re going to be there, aren’t they? I would like to see them win the league.
“I like watching good football. If Man City win it, Man City win it, but I like the way Liverpool play. They’ve been waiting for a long time and, with the players they’ve got, they’ll do it, I think.
“People say they’re under pressure. They’re not. Everyone gets beaten, and they’re still at the top of the league. I just think it was a little blip.”