Liverpool

Liverpool

Premier League • England

Liverpool star branded ‘erratic’ after shambolic display at Crystal Palace as Jamie Redknapp fires parting shot

Jamie Redknapp after the Premier League match at the Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford

Jamie Redknapp did not hold back in his assessment of one Liverpool star for his display at Crystal Palace in what he felt summed up his disappointing Reds career perfectly.

Jurgen Klopp’s side were looking to bounce back from their midweek mauling at home to Real Madrid in a tricky fixture at Selhurst Park. Indeed, with their trophy hopes for the season as good as ended by Real, the focus for Liverpool sharply turns back towards the Premier League.

Yet Liverpool have it all to do on that front too, going into the game seven points adrift of the Tottenham in fourth.

However, the Reds put in a pretty lame display and were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw. After the match, Klopp was quick to defend his players and also had swatted away words of criticism for Trent Alexander-Arnold.

While there are mitigating circumstances for Liverpool – this was their third game in eight days – Redknapp could not resist a pop at one disappointing Reds star in particular.

And it was easy to see why Naby Keita was the one he focused on as the Guinean put in another “erratic” display.

The midfielder was signed in a £52.75m deal from RB Leipzig in summer 2018, arriving with much hype. However, a succession of injuries and poor form means Liverpool have rarely seen what Keita is all about.

And with his deal winding down in the summer, he is likely to walk away as a free agent.

His display at Selhurst Park summed up his Liverpool career to date. And having been booked midway through the half, Redknapp claims it was inevitable he was hauled off.

READ MORELiverpool man lined up for shock Barcelona move as Klopp comments alert Xavi to transfer opportunity

Redknapp tears into Liverpool man Naby Keita

He said on Sky Sports: “Keita’s been booked, I’d be surprised if he starts the second half. He’s going to get sent off. Because he’s erratic, it’s summed up his Liverpool career, and I think they will probably bring on Harvey Elliott.”

Klopp responded by making that exact substitution, vindicating Redknapp’s claims. And the pundit suggested he was expecting much more from Harvey Elliott, a star he is a big fan of.

He added: “He’d been booked but I have to be honest, even his performance you might have thought about changing. Liverpool need someone who is going to make a bit of a difference. They need a spark, and someone who can use the ball in tight areas. I’m a big fan of [Elliott].”

Liverpool struggles analysed

And while Keita was not the only player to struggle, Redknapp felt all 11 Liverpool players looked weary.

He said: “I think they’ve been average to put it kindly. I’ve been in this situation. They are fragile right now. You can see the longer the game’s gone on, Palace have grown in confidence. You can see Liverpool have made defensive mistakes.

“To a man, it’s not just one person, it just transmits to everyone. They’re very edgy and right now they just need someone, it might be a young player, someone like Harvey Elliott to come on, or [Stefan] Bajcetic and think ‘well I’ve got no fear, I’ll come and get hold of this game and make us play’.

“They’ve got to get some possession and have got to look better going forward because it hasn’t happened for them.”

Liverpool are looking to rebuild their midfield this summer following the likely exits of Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Sadly, the Guinean will not be missed. Proving a major disappointment, Liverpool need a serious upgrade if they are to reclaim their place back among the elite.

READ MORELiverpool scouts watch Union Berlin midfielder convincingly lead by example in European win