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Liverpool news: Naby Keita, Xherdan Shaqiri theory made about Jurgen Klopp
NABY KEITA and Xherdan Shaqiri will both remain on the sidelines for Liverpool, because Jurgen Klopp has been let down by both.
That is the opinion of ESPN pundit, and former Reds defender, Steve Nicol.
Liverpool take on Burnley on Sunday in an attempt to climb back to the summit of the Premier League.
They are currently one point behind Manchester City, who face Watford today (5.30pm).
Fans have been curious as to why Shaqiri and Keita have been left out in recent weeks, after both players joined in the summer.
Shaqiri was benched for Liverpool’s two previous games against Watford and Everton, and played just 18 minutes against Manchester United.
His last start in the league came in January against Leicester City.
Keita, on the other hand, has not started since Liverpool’s game with Bournemouth on February 9. Since then, he has played just six minutes in the league against Watford, having been dropped against Manchester United and Everton.
And Nicol has a theory as to why both stars have been left out, and warned Reds fans that they might not see either player for a while.
“I don’t think he’ll play Keita for creativity,” he said on ESPN FC.
“I think that was what he was brought in for, to get some goals from the middle of the park.
“But he just hasn’t produced.
“He hasn’t produced with goals, he hasn’t produced with assists.
“And Shaqiri, for some reason, I think he’s just forgotten his name.
“For me, over the last three or four games they’ve been crying out for Shaqiri and he just seems to have pushed him aside.
“He brought on Sturridge, started Origi, what’s Shaqiri done to upset Klopp? There’s no sign at all that he’ll start either of those two.”