Liverpool fans have noticed something about Naby Keita as the Guinean midfielder links up with the squad in France for the last game of the Reds’ pre-season.
The former Red Bull Leipzig man seemingly struggled with the physicality of the Premier League upon his arrival last season, even though he did show flashes of brilliance.
But it’d now appear as if that won’t be much of a problem this season as Naby has clearly been hitting the iron over the summer.
Naby Keita has bulked to adapt with the PL physicality. The PL ain’t ready for him. 🇬🇳 pic.twitter.com/uQEf2a8Q9N
— Samuel (@SamueILFC) July 30, 2019
Keita looked as if he could be the ‘next Steven Gerrard’ before his arrival at Anfield, but he didn’t get off to a flying start – but, at 24-years-old, time is still on his side.
Perhaps his bulked up physique will be able to help him this season – supporters have certainly been saying as much on Twitter.
Looks like a new signing to me
— matt (@Mattlewis1155) July 30, 2019
Prime Zidane performances incoming
— raggy (@VanRaggy) July 30, 2019
https://twitter.com/lfcsxm/status/1156327392362844161
https://twitter.com/WijiWitty/status/1156484936251203584
https://twitter.com/ROBSON_THE_RED/status/1156294465675505664
keita has bulked up..shaqiri has reduced the weight..seems they had been given fitness programmes
— Meet Rajani (@Rajani_Meet) July 30, 2019
After finally arriving for £52.8million, many saw the Guinean dynamo as a penetrative, ball-carrying, game-changing midfielder after watching him star in the Bundesliga in that role.
His debut in the Reds first top-flight game of the 2018/19 season against West Ham seemed to vindicate those theories.
Keita was finally up and running at Anfield, but he picked up an injury and it put a stop to his rise after scoring against Southampton and Porto.