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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Injury News series, which considers the impact of the latest updates on players’ fitness
Naby Keita returned to full training last week and he will be available for selection against MK Dons, according to The Times’ Paul Joyce.
What’s the latest?
The Guinea international has been out of action since picking up an injury prior to the Super Cup clash with Chelsea in August, and since then Jurgen Klopp has stated that he should be back in contention after the first international break.
That window has now come and gone and the midfielder has recovered according to the schedule, if a little late – but it is better for his sake that he is not rushed back given his bad luck with injuries since coming to Anfield.
Now, Joyce has reported that he is fit enough to feature against MK Dons, and if Klopp chooses to rest some of his first-team regulars, the 24-year-old could get his chance.
Time to prove himself
The former RB Leipzig player has come under scrutiny from some sections of the Liverpool support recently, with many unimpressed by the £48m man since his arrival last summer.
Much of that has been because of his lack of fitness, which is understandable, but others have been concerned with his contribution – and three goals and one assist isn’t much to show from his 33 appearances last season.
Despite that, a good performance against MK Dons will give Klopp a lot to consider and could see Keita rise in the midfield pecking order, with James Milner and Jordan Henderson underperforming of late.
The former got the call to start ahead of Georginio Wijnaldum against Napoli and it didn’t work out well for the Reds, leaving some fans with the view that Milner isn’t good enough to start.
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The captain, meanwhile, has struggled on the ball of late. He has managed just two key passes in the league all season, and against Chelsea had a pass success rate of 59% – a return Keita will be confident of bettering.
His ability to take the ball past players and open up space – averaging 1.3 successful dribbles last term – means the Guinea international offers something different to Milner and Henderson and if he can begin displaying that more often, starting on Wednesday, then he could become a regular fixture in the side.
