Fans say Naby Keita makes Bakayoko ‘look like Pirlo’ after Liverpool horror show against West Ham
The highly-rated midfielder's arrival at Anfield was met with universal acclaim but he's endured a difficult season since then
FOOTBALL FANS have joked that Naby Keita makes Tiemoue Bakayoko "look like Pirlo" after the Liverpool midfielder's horror show against West Ham.
The Guinean made a promising start to his Reds career but underwhelmed after being given a rare start by Jurgen Klopp in Liverpool's 1-1 draw at the London Stadium.
Liverpool blew the chance to go five points clear of Manchester City after they controversially took the lead through Sadio Mane after James Milner was in an offside position.
The Hammers equalised six minutes later through a brilliantly worked free-kick from which Michail Antonio escaped Keita's clutches to fire past Allison.
Although the 23-year-old improved after the break, fans on social media were quick to make their feelings clear after Keita's poor first-half performance.
Twitter user yassen wrote: "Keita makes Bakayoko look like prime Pirlo. Waste of time."
User Higuained agreed with that post, writing: "Wasn’t Naby Keita meant to be Kantè & Pogba in one? More like Danny Drinkwater & Obiang in one."
Another posted: "Naby Keita better than Pogba shouts are looking real real bad, he can’t even chat to Herrera."
Keita has featured 18 times for Liverpool so far this season but is yet to open his account in front of goal and has only registered one assist.
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Last month, Jurgen Klopp admitted Keita is yet to reach the same level of performance that saw him make a name for himself in the Bundesliga.
The Liverpool boss said: "I spoke to Naby. Everything is fine. I am completely happy with Naby but could he be a bit more confident in the games? Yes.
"Is he exactly the player in his best time at Leipzig? No.
"He is still adapting, that's how it is. Everyone saw at the beginning of the season how brilliant he played. He is a fantastic player and I am really happy to have him here."