Naby Keita and Fabinho still adjusting to life at Liverpool insists Klopp

LFC Globe
23rd November 2018
LFC News

Jurgen Klopp outlined his long-term thoughts on summer arrivals and Naby Keita at Liverpool.

Fabinho made a slow start to his Reds career, but made four starts in the last five matches before the break.

However, unfounded speculation claimed that he would exit less than six months after his arrival, to which Klopp was instantly dismissive of.

Watch: Klopp's pre-Watford press conference

“He was ever one for the future. Is he settling? Yes. He played and he did well, so it's all good,” said Klopp.

“Now is coming up the most intense period of the year, of the whole season; it's unbelievable how many games we have now. That's good, we knew that before.

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Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images

“He used the time to adjust to what we want him to do. That was really good. The last games he played were pretty much all good or better. So, all fine.

“Of course he will not leave. I don't talk about transfers but if you want to ask, nobody leaves here.

“That would be completely crazy – he doesn't want to, it's only the crazy world out there that people, if they don't play in the last five games, immediately open kind of a transfer market. We are not involved in that.”

Keita, similarly to Fabinho, has had a slow start to his Reds career. The Guinean has had to contend with a couple of knocks but returned to action as a late substitute in the 2-0 against before the break.

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Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Klopp insists that Keita has room for improvement, but he is a player that will be used in the "now, short-term, long-term, future".

“The start was rather good than average. He played really well in the beginning,” he said.

“He came back tired [from international duty], that's how it is if you have these long flights and three stops on the way back and stuff like that. It's not too cool but yesterday he was in training. The day before he didn't train but yesterday he was in training and looked completely fine.

“There's nothing to judge. Naby has to – and can – of course improve. He has to learn the language and stuff like that. There are a lot of things he can do but it's a long-term project.

“We have this wonderful player in our squad and we will use him: now, short-term, long-term, future, we will use him. He is here exactly in the right place.

“I understand that you have to ask about different players but it's all good with the boys. They are here and how it looks in the moment, apart from two or three, we have them all together.

“Hopefully it stays like that and you will see all of them, in important games and important moments. Hopefully we can make sure they are then in the best shape they can be and get the points for us. That's the plan.”

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