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Liverpool news: The real reason Jurgen Klopp dropped Naby Keita against PSG - Ferdinand
NABY KEITA was left out of the Liverpool starting XI against Paris Saint-Germain tonight - but what was the reason behind his omission?
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Keita arrived at Liverpool in the summer from RB Leipzig after agreeing to join back in 2017.
The Guinea international has impressed in his brief Reds career to date, starting in four of the first five Premier League games of the season.
He has kept club captain Jordan Henderson out of the Liverpool starting XI for all but one of the matches.
But it was Henderson who was given the nod for the Champions League opener against PSG at Anfield this evening.
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This guy Henderson, he brings you experience, he’s level-headed
BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand reckons Reds boss Jurgen Klopp selected his skipper ahead of Keita because of his experience in the competition.
“Experience, it’s experience,” Manchester United legend Ferdinand said.
“Keita, a big-money signing in the summer, he’s looked fresh. He’s added energy to this midfield.
“But this guy Henderson, he brings you experience, he’s level-headed.
“He settles the team down I think in a Liverpool shirt as a captain as well.
“I think that goes through the team.
“I think here at Anfield as well, he’ll be one of the players who they look too to set the tone.”
Striker Roberto Firmino could only be named among the substitutes after an eye injury he picked up against Tottenham on Saturday.
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And Ferdinand suggested a strange reason as to why the Brazilian was not named in the starting XI but was fit enough for the bench.
"Yeah it’s a weird one,” Ferdinand said.
“He (Jurgen Klopp) just wants him (Firmino) to watch the game maybe from close quarters.
“But it was a weird injury. These things happen in football, I’m sure he will not blame anyone.”
Firmino could return to the starting line-up for Southampton's Premier League visit to Anfield on Saturday (3pm).