Daniel Sturridge has waxed lyrical about Naby Keita after seeing Liverpool’s new signing first hand.
The Guinean has been our most impressive performer during pre-season, shining in a box-to-box role that allows him to maximise his outstanding defensive and offensive attributes.
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(Video) Naby Keita teases key tendency to his game in Borussia Dortmund display
Keita has personally delivered two assists to Sturridge, whose own form over the summer has seen him force his way back into Jurgen Klopp’s plans.
“I love that guy. I’m surprised how good he is actually, if I’m honest. I knew he was good but I don’t watch German football too often,” Sturridge told Liverpoolfc.com.
“I haven’t seen a midfielder like him for a while, he is something different. It’s crazy. The things he can do with the ball – he can defend, he can pass, he can dribble, he is fast, he is strong. He has got everything.
“I’m excited to see what he does in the Premier League and the Champions League.
“I sit next to him in the changing room and we have a lot of banter; my French is terrible but I try my best. His English is OK. We share some good times and have a lot of laughs together. I like him a lot, he’s a good guy.”
Watching Keita break forward and feed Sturridge has reminded us of when Coutinho used to do the same during the Englishman’s pomp, actually.
Now 28, Sturridge still has good years left in him providing he can stay fit – something he’s simply been able to do consistently for the past four seasons.
As a result, we’re not going to get our hopes up. He’s mighty talented, but the pressure needs to be taken completely off his shoulders.
Still, at the moment, he’s a better option than Divock Origi or Danny Ings.