Liverpool vs Bayern Munich: Why Naby Keita shouldn’t start the Champions League round of 16 tie

Liverpool vs Bayern Munich: Why Naby Keita shouldn’t start the Champions League round of 16 tie
Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita has shown sparks of excellent form in recent weeks as he edges towards becoming the player the club thought they had signed in the summer.The Guinean, 24, has taken time to settle and find his role within Jurgen Klopp’s team at Anfield but he’s now showing his progressive play and ambitious nature.3

Liverpool ace Naby Keita has been steadily improving this season.

But, despite this, a Champions League match against German giants Bayern might not be the best fixture for Keita to start in.He spent two seasons in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig and faced them five times – four in the league and once in the DFB-Pokal.Keita, though, won’t have many good memories, despite suggesting in an interview with Bild he had the knowledge to topple the Bavarian behemoths.He said: “I know about Bayern’s strengths and how to play against them.”The statistics, however, don’t quite show this to be the case and Klopp may be wise not to risk Keita, who may have personal revenge on his mind. In the five matches Keita played against Bayern Munich, he won only once and lost four.His first game against them lasted just 45 minutes as he was hauled off at half-time with RB Leipzig 3-0 down having seen team-mate Emil Forsberg sent off.The second encounter was a nine-goal thriller in east Germany as Leipzig lost 5-4 thanks to two late goals from David Alaba and Arjen Robben.3

Keita attempts to tackle Robert Lewandowski

A third outing saw Keita’s worst moment as he was sent off for two bookable offences in a German Cup defeat, and while the fourth also saw Keita on the losing team.But the Liverpool star did at least find some joy in his final league match against Bayern as he netted the equaliser against them in Leipzig’s 2-1 victory last March.3

Keita celebrates scoring against Bayern last March.

Whether or not Klopp will pick his 52million man is yet to be seen but it’s certainly worth him being wary of his record against Bayern.

---

West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice has said he is "not thinking about" speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United as he is happy in east London. The Red Devils look set for a
Declan Rice: Special to win in front of West Ham legend Billy

---

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino could have £150m to revamp his squad this summer, according to reports. The Daily Mail claim the Spurs boss Pochettino wants up to new five players ahead of the club's first full season in their £1billion stadium. Tottenham booked their spot in the
How Tottenham could line up next season if Mauricio

---

Petr Cech has reaffirmed his commitment to Arsenal after speculation of a return to Chelsea this summer, insisting his "sole focus" is on helping the Gunners win the Europa League.The 37-year
Chelsea vs Arsenal: Granit Xhaka says Premier League should

---

Aston Villa are trying to bring defender Gary Cahill back to the club, according to reports. Cahill, 32, is the club captain at Chelsea - a role he was bestowed with when John Terry left the club
Aston Villa want to reunite Chelsea outcast Gary Cahill with

---

Liverpool star Sadio Mane responds to Real Madrid transfer speculation. The attacker had been linked with a move before signing a new deal in November
Liverpool star Mane says Real Madrid transfer link is a

---

Laurent Koscielny injury: Arsenal defender kicked in head by Man Utd forward Romelu Lukaku Frenchman left with bloodied face after accidental clash with Manchester United striker in FA Cup tie
Laurent Koscielny says he can't eat or chew following jaw

---

The Football Association (FA) has charged Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino with improper conduct after his argument with Mike Dean. Mauricio Pochettino has been charged with improper conduct by
Football: Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino charged for improper

---

Home / Virgil van Dijk: PFA winner focused on Lionel Messi and Barcelona and rubbishes Ballon d'Or talk Sport April 29, 2019 Virgil van Dijk: PFA winner focused on Lionel Messi and Barcelona and rubbishes Ballon d'Or talk
Virgil van Dijk: PFA winner focused on Lionel Messi and

---

Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang admits to having entered the final day of the Premier League season with the Golden Boot in mind. The Gabonese insists he is a "team player", but was
Watford 0-1 Arsenal: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pounces on Ben

---

Lionel Messi has the chance to score against a sixth different English opponent in the Champions League when Barcelona and Liverpool meet on Wednesday. The Argentine clinched the La Liga title for
Tottenham Advance in Champions League After Draw vs. Lionel

---

Tags: hammers, Inter Milan, keita balde diao, manuel pellegrini, premier league, transfer talk, west ham, west ham united fc Damien Charles Lucas Journalist Damien is an experienced sports, news and digital editor at one of the world's largest news organisations.
West Ham Have Agreed €32m Deal With Lazio for Keita Balde

---

Nelson Oliveira: Aston Villa's Tyrone Mings apologises for stamp which caused gruesome facial injury Reading forward Oliveira showed off the extent of his injury and it's not for the faint
Nelson Oliveira: Aston Villa's Tyrone Mings apologises for

---