The future is looking very bright for Liverpool at the moment.
Despite losing Philippe Coutinho in January, Jurgen Klopp’s side have produced some scintillating football in recent weeks.
Their defensive record has improved significantly since Virgil van Dijk arrived from Southampton and Loris Karius replaced Simon Mignolet as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper; they will leapfrog Manchester United into second place in the Premier League table if they win at Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime, and they’re through to the Champions League quarter-finals after thrashing FC Porto 5-0 on aggregate.
Although Manchester City appear to have the Premier League title wrapped up for this season, there’s a chance that Liverpool will end the season as champions of Europe.
They’ve done it five times before, so write them off at your peril.
If they don’t, though, it will still have been a reasonably decent season for the Reds who, you suspect, will be even stronger next season.
They’ve already made one major signing ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.
Naby Keita signed for Liverpool in a deal worth £48 million last August but the transfer will only be finalised this summer.
The all-action midfielder will finish the season with RB Leipzig, despite Liverpool’s best efforts to bring him to Anfield in January.
Keita made his first appearance in a month against Borussia Dortmund at the weekend – the Guinea international had been sidelined with a hamstring injury – and impressed in the 1-1 draw.
KEITA PRODUCED ONE MOMENT OF MAGIC V ZENIT
He then played the full 90 minutes again in Thursday evening’s Europa League last 16 first leg against Zenit.
RB Leipzig won the match 2-1 and Liverpool fans exploded on social media in the 77th minute when Keita produced a superb solo run before setting up Timo Werner to score.
Watch Keita’s excellent assist here…
Wow Naby Keïta takes out the Zenit midfield and defence and sets up Werner. Liverpool have bought an absolute gem. pic.twitter.com/BqHtwbN0oG
— Premier League Panel 💜 (@PremLeaguePanel) March 8, 2018
Naby Keita doing what Naby Keita does tonight.
114 days left. pic.twitter.com/5AzVh0EBht
— Matty Johnson (@MattyJohnson8) March 8, 2018
LIVERPOOL FANS EXPLODED ON TWITTER
And here’s how Liverpool fans reacted…
Naby Keita showing all of Europe tonight why klopp was so desperate to sign him for lfc… the boy is gonna light up anfield and the premier league very very soon…. #lfc #ynwa #Keita
— carl johnson (@carlosjohno) March 8, 2018
Imagine adding a world class midfielder in Naby Keita to this current #LFC team. I don't think I've ever been more excited and positive for a future #LFC team before. #KingKlopp https://t.co/HoPlymrtV5
— TD 🇸🇳🇧🇷🇪🇬 (@DyerThomas) March 8, 2018
Genuinely cannot wait for naby keita to arrive what a midfielder he is #lfc
— Harry Bentley (@Harry_Bentley) March 8, 2018
What an unbelievable assist from Naby Keita 😍😍, can't wait to see him in an #LFC shirt #RBLZEN #UEL
— Tas Mavridis (@tasmavridis97) March 8, 2018
They’re all very excited to see Keita in a red shirt and who can blame them after moments of magic like this?
KEITA LOOKS GOOD ENOUGH TO LIGHT UP THE PREMIER LEAGUE
It’s clear that Keita won’t just bring energy to Liverpool’s midfield, he’ll also bring plenty of class and end product.
Naby Keita vs Zenit
93% passing
2 chances created
1 assist
1 shot
5/7 take-ons
5/5 tacklesWow 🔥 pic.twitter.com/jqlOZNLuKo
— LFC Stats (@LFCData) March 8, 2018
It’s hard not to feel that Liverpool have signed a gem.