Liverpool vs Newcastle: Will Naby Keita injury give Divock Origi another chance?
Naby Keita has been ruled out of Liverpool’s game against Newcastle United on Saturday night, so will it give Divock Origi another chance?
Keita suffered an injury in the early stages of the Champions League semi-final first leg against Barcelona, and Jurgen Klopp has confirmed the midfielder will miss the Reds’ league fixture against the Magpies.
Klopp chose to play Gini Wijnaldum up front in place of Roberto Firmino, who may also miss the Toon clash, with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah the inside forwards.
But Keita’s absence may shift Wijnaldum back into the middle of the park, which would then open up a position as the leading forward.
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The Dutchman was signed from Newcastle after Steve McLaren oversaw their relegation. Wijnaldum has an excellent debut season in English football and hit double figures for the only time in the Premier League.
“I felt free there and I could play the way I was playing and I scored goals,” the official Liverpool website reported that he said. Klopp doesn’t allow that sort of freedom, but there’s no doubt that Gini has proven his worth and flexibility.
One option would be to move Mane into the middle and play Origi out wide. We’ve seen this one employed before, but it’s not really the Belgian’s natural position. It would be better if Klopp picked Origi as the striker and left Mane and Salah where they operate the best.
Daniel Sturridge is another who could come into the team – as could Xherdan Shaqiri – but recent history suggests that Klopp doesn’t really rate or trust either of them.
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Sturridge appears to be out this door in the summer, but the gaffer is a patient man and it doesn’t have to be the end for Shaqiri – who had an excellent start to the season but has barely been seen after Christmas.