Premier League has started so far, with new faces showing up on the football field. Among them, the absolutely fantastic Naby Keita. Impressing everyone since pre-season, the Guinean player is surely on his way to greatness. But what makes him so special ? And how does he adapt within his new squad ? Analysis.
Profile and tactical breakdown :
The new n°8 since Steven Gerrard’s departure is definitely not your basic midfielder. Fresh from RB Leipzig, he has a unique profile marked by a certain role versatility. We can say, in a simple way, that he is a box-to-box midfielder. But for me and many others, his style of play needs to be explained with more precision.
Under his previous club, Keita has been deployed as a central midfielder. Even though variants have been used within the starting XI, he was mostly present in a 4-2-2-2 (see image). Analyzing his period there from a tactical point will help us know more about him.
At Leipzig, he was the main responsible for the club’s quick-paced transitions. Once the ball was recovered, Naby Keita was often the one to carry the ball forward and create danger. His contribution in offensive transition also had to come with an important role in defensive sequences. Basically, the midfielder had to win the ball back and then launch the attacking phase.
Defensively talking, the double pivot was a key-part in Hasenhüttl’s organization. Like a traditionnal 4-4-2 would do, the team always aim to close up space in the middle to push the opponent on the sides. The wingers would then block the ball-retainer, taking advantage to the time it would take for the ball to reach the flank.
This required big efforts from NK8 and his midfield partner. However, the Guinean was able to achieve his task perfectly through these specific qualities (see video examples) :
- ability to read the game and prevent danger
- combination of pace and good timing
- physical intensity on ball-retainer
His defensive role does not limit itself to sit deep and force the opponent out of his area. Used to fast counter-attacks, the German team seeks pressing a lot. Keita masters this notion perfectly, helping his partners win back the ball high and quick.
His agressive pressing and tactical awareness are his main abilities in ball recovery. In pressing, he harasses the ball carrier but also limits his passing options with cover shadow. Timing and placement are vital here, two things Naby excels at. This immediately rushes the opposition player which mostly leads to poor decisions from him as every possible pass is closed up.
This pressing trap indeed destroys the adversary’s offensives, with Keita’s intensity creating foolish decisions already expected. Hold position for perfect timing, strength to force the opponent back and awareness to prevent dangerous passing lanes… as simple as that !
His success in pressing and defensive mechanisms does not make him an excellent ball winner so far. The n°8 has exposed a certain weakness in both discipline and aerial domination. The stats are clear : Keita lacks aerial control as he got an average of 1.5 aerial duels per game for 0.9 lost last season ! Also, his agressivity is sometimes pushed far too much as he commited nearly 2 fouls per game for only 23 matches with RB Leipzig.
Offensively, his presence is felt as much as in defence. The Guinean used to be a strong guide in the offensive transitions through specific qualities (once again) :
- incisive movements to cause chaos in opponent’s defensive block
- dribbling ability/ball carrying through opposition defence
- progressive passing with emphasis on penetrating lines
Those major points need to be discussed in order to know more about Naby Keita. First of all, his smart shiftings on the field can disorganize the opponent. Indeed, a dilemma is imposed to the marker once NK8 has the ball. Either he follows the Guinean to recover the ball, or holds position in the block.
Both solutions offer negative effects : first one opens interesting passing lanes to Keita. The man’s pace will help him to turn around and break lines through a direct pass. He can also use his quick rhythm to simply get past his opponent or use his impredictable dribbling. In both ways, marking the n°8 only ends with severe issues.
Second one seems more appropriate from a tactical perspective, but actually isn’t. Holding position will allow Naby to drive the ball and fix the marker and other players. This of course leaves partners free, which will end up with lethal throughballs behind the defence.
Beside this important tool, Leipzig’s creativity was also expressed through the Guinean’s use of ball. As far as I’ve seen, he might be the best ball carrier out in Europe. Perfectly balanced, he’s excellent at attracting the opponent’s press so he can penetrate it later. This quick carrying allows quick transitions for Leipzig as well as breaking opposition’s defensive block.
What is also impressive about Naby is his dribbling. Skillful at this domain, he offers various moves to eliminate opponents. His control and fluidity with both foots must be cited, but his quick change of direction when the opposition tackles is surely his favorite move.
Finally, his progressive passing. The midfielder gives much importance to hit the opposition with vertical and incisive passes. He often seeks free space forward with throughballs to upfront partners or horizontal passes for flank’s sollicitation. This ambitious passing often ends up in nice assists (see assists of 2017/2018 season).
There’s more to add on his offensive contribution, but I think those were the important points to mention. The tactical breakdown done by analyzing Keita’s time at RB Leipzig will now help us know how he’s fit for Klopp’s tactics.
Adaptation within new team :
Beside his tactical knowledge, Jürgen Klopp impresses everyone with his right transfer choices. Unlike some coaches as Mourinho, the German often brings players already shaped for his team. Keita is not an exception as he adapts to the club’s tactical mechanisms.
Season debut has shown Keita’s role in his new club. As for the lineup, Klopp has already set a stable squad. I expect this team to be present during whole season, except Wijnaldum who I see would be replaced by the astonishing Fabinho.
There, Keita is in charge of the offensive transition, but also of linking midfield to final third. As I’ve already said before, he perfectly masters the art of finding and exploiting space. In England, he uses this attribute so he can bring some danger into the Scousers attacking phase.
Making space is an easy thing for the Guinean. Through simple yet effective tactical stratagems, he is able to create space for himself in seconds :
- drop deep to help in build-up
- hold position to receive long balls
- play between opposition lines
In build-up, the new n°8 does not need to always be present. However, when Liverpool lacks efficiency at this moment due to opponent’s press, his help can be very important. Thanks to his powerful pace and good direct play, he can also create danger from there.
Indeed, no matter if he’s already marked or not, Keita can operate from build-up to midfield/final third. His ability to just get through opponents and the way he progresses vertically can turn a classic build-up to a dangerous occasion (see video).
He can as well just stay where he is while Liverpool plays out from the back. If the opposition presses high up the field, then their block would leave space behind. Space left for Naby Keita, who could exploit it with aerial domination. Such a simple idea that works out nicely. As the stats show, the idea is well exploited : 6 longs balls played by Alisson Becker for 6 successful ones and 0.7 aerial duels taken per game and all dominated by Keita.
Finally, the best way to find space throughout opposition defence : between its lines. Regarding NK8, he likes to stay between first and second line (facing midfield). This positioning offers secured possession and strong domination, something the Scousers lacked a bit last season.
In fact, it helps his team organize a nice attacking shape. Going between opposition lines will allow Liverpool’s front three to get inside and fullbacks to go wide. This way, the players positions are extended all over the other half which gives the Reds clear domination. And when the opposition leaves no solution in an area, Keita can be handed the ball to switch play while keeping possession. Also, he can tuck in or interchange positions with Firmino to intervene in the final third.
Facing midfield and opponents lines also help gaining a better vision of the play and both team setups. Moreover, this position can help Liverpool keep the ball. When facing opposition midfield without being too close, the opponent cannot take the ball from a player as he is helped by good timing and spacing.
The result is obvious : strong link-up play with connections all around the field. This setup helped battle against low-blocks, for example against Crystal Palace (win 2-0). Strong contribution from fullbacks, excellent collective positioning and united attacking shape… just perfect.
Naby Keita’s penetrative passing will also be a key attribute for the club. Alongside Mo Salah, Firmino and Mané, he will slowly but surely acquire interesting automatisms. Those mechanisms will then be used to hit hard on quick transitions. It was already the case in Leipzig, as the Guinean was used to link-up a lot with his upfront teammates.
Here for instance, a once very-used attacking stratagem in Leipzig. Timo Werner makes an outside-inside call for the ball. Keita sprints, fixes his opponent while Jean-Kévin Augustin attracts defender to create space for his teammate. NK8 then gives the ball to Werner who’s completely unmarked (credit to Victor Lefaucheux for the images) :
This old automatism could be deployed in LFC as Mo Salah and Sadio Mané are used to cutting inside from their flank. Firmino could take Jean-Kévin Augustin’s role by being the n°9 who attracts and takes out the troublesome defenders.
Besides the fact the Reds were missing a proper box-to-box midfielder, NK8 is a smart transfer as he’s used to the club’s style of play. Indeed, there are three notable similarities between RB Leipzig and Liverpool tactics : counterpressing, quick transitions with direct play and strong link-up play between teammates.
No doubt about it : NK8 is the missing player that the Reds needed. Desperatly seeking for a talented midfield, Jürgen Klopp is finally satisfied. Game reading, physical strength, pace, passing… he’s got what it takes to strive for greatness.
In addition to his capacities, he is also meant for glory under Klopp’s management. His box-to-box profile and his team’s adapted tactical setup will help him fit like a glove.
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