'Keita can add a new dynamic to Liverpool's attack,' says former United defender

The former Manchester United defender believes the new signing's attributes should give more liberty to Anfield's fearsome trio

Naby Keita can add a new dynamic to Liverpool's attacking play this season, according to Danny Higginbotham.

The former RB Leipzig midfielder's debut in their season-opening win over West Ham United drew a lot of praises, including from teammate and one-third of the Reds' fearsome attacking trio Sadio Mane.

Last season, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Mane had 91 goals between themselves to help Liverpool finish fourth in the English Premier League and reach the Uefa Champions League final.

However, Higginbotham believes that, along with the threat posed by the Guinea international, he will help draw attention away from Jurgen Klopp's forwards. "It's brilliant watching him because I think a lot of people looked at Keita and thought he was a defensive midfielder," Higginbotham told Sky Sports News.

"He's not, he's anything but that, he loves to get forward and he is a real threat. At times it is going to be difficult to unsettle back fours and actually get in behind them but he creates space for others.

"Where Keita comes into his own is that teams are pushed so far back that he can get in these areas [between the opposition defence and midfield].

"I think he is going to bring more to the attack than the defensive side and what he does is that he provides another dynamic. I think he's an outstanding signing.

"I think what you'll find is that they'll defend with the four [two centre-backs and two central midfielders] and give the license to the two full-backs to go forward.

"When they go forward, Keita is going to cause all kinds of problems and actually create more space for the likes of Mane, Firmino and Salah."

Keita will hope to keep up with early promises when Liverpool play Crystal Palace in Monday's Premier League game.