Inconsistent Liverpool man tipped to return to ‘unbelievable’ former heights

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi has backed Naby Keita to succeed at Anfield after insisting injuries are the only reason he has struggled so far.

Keita moved to Liverpool in 2018, one year after it was announced that he would be joining from RB Leipzig.

During his time with the German club, Keita shared a pitch with Gulacsi. The pair also crossed paths before that at sister club RB Salzburg.

Gulacsi had a past with Liverpool himself, despite never playing. Although he didn’t succeed at Anfield, he still thinks Keita can.

The Guinea international has only started six games in the Premier League so far this season. In neither of his previous campaigns with the club has he started more than half of Liverpool’s league games.

Keita hasn’t necessarily played badly during his time in the Premier League. But Liverpool would have been hoping for more from a man who cost them in the region of £50m.

However, Gulacsi still believes that his former teammate will come good.

“At [Red Bull] Salzburg I spent one season with Naby and then also one season in Leipzig. He is a fantastic talent,” Gulacsi said.

Keita hoping to become Klopp's favourite at Liverpool

Keita hoping to become Klopp's favourite at Liverpool

Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita joked that he would need to topple Sadio Mane and Mo Salah if he wants to become Jurgen Klopp's "favourite" in the squad.

“He has unbelievable quality and when he came to the Bundesliga he changed the whole game here and he was one of the most important players for us.

“In our first season in the Bundesliga we went to finish second in the league, which was of course down to the team effort. But Naby was one of the key players, and it’s no surprise that after such a successful season Liverpool signed him.

“Since then, he’s been hit by quite a few injuries. So I think he’s had a tough time to really hit his top form and just keep playing all the time. But his qualities are not to question.

“I’m sure that if he can stay fit and healthy then he will show again that kind of consistency on the highest level.”


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Gulacsi will line up against his former club on Tuesday night, with Leipzig facing Liverpool in the Champions League Round of 16.

Keita will not be able to feature, though. He has only just returned to training after his latest injury setback.

Gulacsi has fond Liverpool memories

Peter Gulacsi Liverpool

In a separate interview, Gulacsi also reflected positively on his time with Liverpool.

“I have the best memories. Just being at a fantastic club with unbelievably good players was a great experience,” he said.

“Every training felt like a game, nobody wanted to lose. As a young goalkeeper, you had to be 100 per cent all the time.”

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