Four Liverpool rotations Klopp MUST make to beat Southampton

CHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Daniel Sturridge of Liverpool celebrates with Naby Keita of Liverpool during the Pre-season friendly between Chester FC and Liverpool on July 7, 2018 in Chester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Lynne Cameron/Getty Images)
CHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Daniel Sturridge of Liverpool celebrates with Naby Keita of Liverpool during the Pre-season friendly between Chester FC and Liverpool on July 7, 2018 in Chester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Lynne Cameron/Getty Images) /
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Liverpool Keita Southampton
Liverpool Rotations v Southampton: Naby Keita of Liverpool (L) is challenged by Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium on September 15, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

No. 1 – Naby Keita

Many expected Keita to be the “van Dijk” of the Liverpool midfield; a undroppable force and leader of the midfield that holds the entire unit together. Perhaps that is what he becomes but Klopp doesn’t seem him as that just yet.

For the second time this season Keita found himself on the bench this week. He made way for Jordan Henderson for both the Leicester and the PSG games (freaking out the Hendo-haters). Those moves can’t be for fitness reasons; Keita did not play at the World Cup and had a full pre-season.

It may be that Klopp is entirely sure Keita has all of his defensive responsibilities nailed yet. His influence has been felt more with the ball than without. He hasn’t been a liability at all, but he is yet to match his midfield colleagues for defensive discipline.

After resting on Tuesday I think it is almost certain Keita starts against Southampton. While many will expect him to come in for Henderson, I think it will James Milner the one to make way for the Guinean.