Liverpool vs West Ham: Fans seriously divided over Reds ace

Liverpool fans are seriously divided over Naby Keita after his performance against West Ham United on Monday night.

The summer signing started alongside fellow new recruit Fabinho and played the full 90 minutes as the Reds failed to beat a poor Hammers outfit.

Keita has struggled to have the impact many hoped he would after arriving from RB Leipzig at the start of the season. As a result of this, some have turned on the 23-year-old, while others  still give Keita their backing.

Jurgen Klopp couldn’t call on Jordan Henderson or Gini Wijnaldum, while James Milner was picked at right-back because of injuries to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez.

As a result of Henderson’s and Wijnaldum’s absence, both new lads were forced to put a full shift in – with some fans criticizing Keita’s effort throughout the game.

After Manchester City beat Arsenal to close the gap at the top of the Premier League to just three points, this was a fixture Liverpool really needed to win. Past results had been excellent, and confidence must have been flowing.

But Sadio Mane’s early goal didn’t do anything to settle down the Reds – who were forced to settle for a point after Michael Antonio struck for West Ham. Just as Leicester City did last weekend.

After the Cityzens lost to Newcastle United, hopes were flying high. Liverpool had a prime chance to extend their league lead to seven points, but that has since been eroded.

The Reds don’t have the easiest schedule coming up either. A potentially home game against Bournemouth is followed up by the first leg of the Champions League last 16 as Liverpool host Bayern Munich.

Despite the struggles that Keita has experienced, Klopp and the transfer team would have done their research on the player. Everyone deserves a bedding-in period, and not all players adapt the same way.

So let’s back the midfielder and reserve judgement until he’s had two full seasons under his belt.