When Liverpool signed RB Leipzig’s best midfielder in 2018, they believed they were getting their long-term Steven Gerrard successor.
The Reds even handed Naby Keita the No. 8 shirt last worn by the recently retired Liverpool icon.
Fast forward five years, and having seen Keita‘s career at Anfield decimated by injuries, Liverpool headed back to Leipzig to pluck their newest midfield maestro and bring him to Merseyside.
Got a horrible feeling Slot is going to keep Gakpo in the XI and drop Salah 😬 Who should be the front four vs Forest?
Liverpool predicted XI vs Nottingham Forest
Liverpool predicted XI vs Nottingham Forest
Once again, the Reds gave their new addition Gerrard’s old number in the hope that they would have more luck this time around.
Given Dominik Szoboszlai‘s current status as Liverpool’s most important player, it is safe to say that it was second-time lucky for the Reds. And as Szoboszlai matches Keita’s 129 matches in Liverpool red, it is fascinating to note the differences between their respective spells at Anfield.
Dominik Szoboszlai easily beats Naby Keita’s numbers
That Keita’s appearances came over five years at Liverpool tells its own story. Szoboszlai has reached the same total in virtually half the time.
That in itself puts the Hungarian as the better of the two No. 8s, and this is further borne out in the key statistics.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool: Emirates FA Cup Third Round Replay
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
READ MORE: How Mohamed Salah’s crown as first to arrive at Liverpool training is beginning to topple
Never a prolific goal-scorer, Keita managed only 11 goals for Liverpool. Though he was billed as an all-action midfielder, he simply did not score enough. His best return in a season for the Reds was just four.
By contrast, Szoboszlai has found the net on a relatively consistent basis. He would probably have liked to score more than the 25 goals he has, but having already hit 10 this season he is on to beat his record of 12 for a season, set at Salzburg.
Assists-wise, it is a similar story. Keita found a teammate to score only six times across his 129 appearances, a number which Szoboszlai has more than trebled, registering 19 assists.
You’re Richard Hughes, how are you responding when Real Madrid call to ask about Szoboszlai?
What price are you quoting?
Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates in front of the Kop after scoring in Liverpool's FA Cup fourth round match against Brighton at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Charlotte Wilson/Offside).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Charlotte Wilson/Offside
Keita comes out on top in the trophy stakes
Analysing this pair’s Liverpool appearances more deeply, and it is clear to see that Szoboszlai has been far more important to the team than Keita. 105 of the Hungarian’s appearances have been starts, compared to just 77 of his Guinean predecessor.
Nevertheless, Keita can at least boast a better win percentage than Szoboszlai – 70% to 64% – although he was taken off in 58 of his 77 starts, with Liverpool’s current No. 8 leaving the field just 36 times.
One thing Keita does have over Szoboszlai at Liverpool is trophies. Both Premier League and Carabao Cup winners, Keita also boasts a Champions League, an FA Cup, Super Cup and Club World Cup.
Not even fit enough for the bench in the Champions League final of 2019, however, the 31-year-old could not claim to have made a huge contribution to Jurgen Klopp’s winning team. Having started the 2022 Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals, though, Keita was important to fostering a winning culture in the 2018-2022 squad. He arguably should have begun the 2022 Champions League final instead of Thiago Alcantara, a decision which could have cost Klopp the trophy.
The hope will be that Szoboszlai can match Keita’s trophy haul in the years to come, but even without it, there is no question he has been the better Liverpool No. 8.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox