Ex-Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier has compared central midfielder Naby Keita to Reds icon Steven Gerrard and believes the Guinea international will come good at Anfield.
Keita joined the club in a £48m deal from RB Leipzig in 2018 but has so far had a mixed time after suffering from injuries, and has made just six Premier League starts all season.
He has been more involved since football restarted, however, creating an assist in the 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday, and there are hopes he could have a big part to play next season.
Houllier is familiar with Keita having watched him in action for French club FC Istres early on in his career, and speaking to the Liverpool Echo he backed the player to make his mark soon.
"Keita was playing for a 'championship' team in France," Houllier said. "They were struggling but he was playing everyone off the park.
"Like when I saw Steven Gerrard; he was practically everywhere and his maturity was impressive, even under pressure. I recommended Salzburg buy him and they followed me.
"He has a good attitude. Once he fits in the [ Liverpool ] team, he will stay there."
Houllier also monitored a young Sadio Mane during his time as sporting development of Salzburg, and admitted he has been hugely impressed by how the Senegalese forward has progressed.
"I saw Mane during the Olympic Games in 2012," he added. "He was at Metz and we bought him at the time for €4m at Red Bull Salzburg.
"He played two years and won a [league and cup] double. Then he ran away to go to Southampton! And then on to Liverpool.
"He has become more and more composed. Very focused and more composed in front of goal particularly. He can make goals but he can also score goals."
