{"id":266676,"date":"2026-10-09T18:40:12","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T18:40:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/09\/why-ward-must-offload-liverpools-new-keita-just-7-games-into-the-season\/"},"modified":"2026-10-09T18:40:12","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T18:40:12","slug":"why-ward-must-offload-liverpools-new-keita-just-7-games-into-the-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/09\/why-ward-must-offload-liverpools-new-keita-just-7-games-into-the-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Ward must offload Liverpool’s new Keita just 7 games into the season"},"content":{"rendered":"

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In Liverpool<\/a>\u2019s attempts to secure Premier League<\/a> glory, it\u2019s safe to say that the hierarchy have spent a pretty penny on improving their squad in the transfer market.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Countless managers have been the beneficiaries of their investment, which has resulted in the likes of Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot both claiming title glory at Anfield.<\/p>\n

Andoni Iraola<\/a> is the latest manager to try his luck on Merseyside and has already been handed over \u00a3150m worth of funds during his first few months in charge of the Reds.<\/p>\n

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\n
\n <\/picture>REUTERS\/Phil Noble<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

However, he will be hoping that his new additions don\u2019t follow the same path of one player who ultimately failed to deliver during his own time at the club.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n Why Keita is one of Liverpool’s worst signings in recent years<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n

As part of the hierarchy\u2019s ambitious recruitment drive for success, Liverpool secured the signature of midfielder Naby Keita<\/a> from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2018.<\/p>\n

The Guinean international cost a reported \u00a352m that window, with the hopes of transforming the club\u2019s midfield department for the immediate and long-term future.<\/p>\n

\n
\n \"Naby\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

However, the deal for the 31-year-old proved to be a complete disaster, as he only featured a total of 129 times – an average of just 25 appearances per season during his five years on Merseyside.<\/p>\n

Injuries constantly tarnished the midfielder\u2019s time at Anfield, as Keita suffered 21 separate injury issues – an average of just over five setbacks per campaign at Liverpool.<\/p>\n

As a result of his issues with fitness, the former Leipzig star missed a staggering 113 matches during his time at Anfield – a tally nearly higher than his actual appearance figure.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Naby Keita – games by season at Liverpool<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

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Season<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Games<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

2022\/23<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

13<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

2021\/22<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

40<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

2020\/21<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

16<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

2019\/20<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

27<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

2018\/19<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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33<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

To make matters worse for the hierarchy, he would depart the Reds on a free transfer in the summer of 2023, which saw the club lose a small fortune on their original investment.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s certainly one of the club\u2019s biggest failed dealings in recent years and one which undoubtedly cost them dearly in their efforts to secure Premier League glory.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n Why one Liverpool player is becoming the next Keita<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n

Liverpool\u2019s dealings in the transfer market have certainly improved over recent seasons, as seen during the season under Slot, which allowed the club to secure the title at the first attempt.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s not to say every signing has hit the heights like many anticipated, which ultimately resulted in the Dutchman\u2019s dismissal last summer following the \u00a3450m spending spree.<\/p>\n

Some other long-standing talents on the books at Anfield have also struggled to match expectations, with midfielder Wataru Endo<\/a> undoubtedly falling into such a category.<\/p>\n

The Japanese international arrived for a reported \u00a316m from German side Stuttgart in the summer of 2023, with the hope he can add needed quality and depth to the heart of the side.<\/p>\n

However, in the three years since his subsequent move to England, the 33-year-old has only managed to feature 87 times across all competitions.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"Liverpool's\n <\/picture>
Liverpool’s Wataru Endo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Only 57 of his outings have come in the Premier League, but less than half were from starting roles – highlighting his position as more of a squad player on Merseyside.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s also suffered from his own injury issues in recent times, subsequently featuring just eight times in the top-flight last campaign, with only one of his outings coming from the start.<\/p>\n

Endo has failed to appear in the Premier League since Iraola\u2019s arrival, and the end of his time at Liverpool could well be in sight for the Japanese international.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s now starting to emulate Keita in arriving from the Bundesliga and ultimately being confined to various injury issues which have plagued his time at the club.<\/p>\n

Even when he has featured, the former Stuttgart man has been unable to deliver the goods – something which the Guinean international also struggled with at Anfield.<\/p>\n

As a result, new Sporting Director Julian Ward must be brutal with his decision-making and should see him ensure that Endo is a player who is pushed closer to the exit door.<\/p>\n

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\n \"Liverpool\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

He\u2019s been a player who has often been brought on in the latter stages of games to help see victories out, but ultimately he\u2019s not at the level needed if the club are to be successful.<\/p>\n

The club need to be brutal when moving players on in the immediate future, and it\u2019s now clear that the Japanese star is a player who should be handed the Keita treatment after seven games this season.<\/p>\n