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Certain squad numbers can hang heavy on players’ shoulders at football clubs. When a particular jersey has been worn with distinction by someone for years, it leaves a tall order for their successors to do it justice. In Liverpool’s case, the number 8 shirt ultimately proved too big a burden for Naby Keita, the first player to wear it after Steven Gerrard’s departure in 2015. The Guinean showed flashes of quality in his time at Anfield but a horrendous injury record prevented him from getting anywhere close to matching the impact of our iconic former captain.

Just five games into the season, he’s one of just two outfield players to have played in every minute for the Reds. His average of 1.4 tackles per match is the fourth-highest in the squad, while he ranks third for shots per game (two) and joint-third for key passes per game (1.6).



In an Neil Jones perhaps best summed up the enormous impact Szoboszlai has made at Anfield.