Naby Keita has been told that he needs to “up his game” despite his wonder goal in Liverpool’s 3-2 Champions League victory at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
The Guinea international’s stunning volley put the Reds 2-0 up in the Spanish capital but with the hosts drawing level before the break, manager Jurgen Klopp substituted Keita at half-time for the more defensively-minded Fabinho.
Keita was given a score of 6 in the ECHO’s player ratings from the game with Ian Doyle writing: “Excellent volley for the second and some good probing runs, but beaten too easily in the build-up to Atletico's first two goals.”
Former Premier League striker Tony Cascarino also believes the £52.75million midfielder needs to do better.
HITC quote him as telling talkSPORT: “It’s a weird one.
“ Curtis Jones is injured. Thiago is injured. Wijnaldum left to go to PSG. He thought he would get more opportunities.
“Klopp has tried to juggle him and Oxlade-Chamberlain. He has tried to find a way to keep him within the group, and if you play really well, then you are going to play more football.
“He has to up his game. Like I said, the word ‘consistency’. What does he have to do? I find it very difficult (his future). He still has got a 35-year-old in James Milner playing in front, at times.”
