Naby Keïta’s changing fortunes laid bare in Europa League night

Naby Keïta was left on the bench as Ferencvárosi TC faced PFC Ludogorets Razgrad in the Europa League, a moment that underlined how far the former Liverpool midfielder’s status has shifted since his days among Europe’s most coveted talents.

The Guinean midfielder, once signed for a record fee by Liverpool FC after emerging as one of the Bundesliga’s most dynamic players, now finds himself in a supporting role in Hungary.

His absence from the pitch on a significant European night served as a stark contrast to a period when he was regarded as a prototype modern midfielder, praised for his technical quality, acceleration and ability to carry the ball through pressure.

In Guinea, his style once drew comparisons with Deco, reflecting the elegance and creativity that defined his rise. That ascent had been rapid.

Developed in his homeland, he passed through France with Istres, refined his game in Austria with Salzburg and then stepped onto the wider European stage at Leipzig, where his performances prompted Liverpool to invest heavily in his potential.

His move to England came as Liverpool were reshaping their midfield under Jürgen Klopp. Expectations were high, yet his time there was repeatedly disrupted by injuries.

Those setbacks limited his rhythm and consistency, preventing him from fully securing the central role many believed suited him.

The impact has extended beyond club football. With the Guinean national side, where he had worn the captain’s armband and symbolised a generation’s hopes, his influence has waned.

Persistent fitness concerns and irregular playing time have reduced the authority he once carried within the team.

His transfer to Ferencváros was viewed as an opportunity to reset in a less demanding environment. Instead, his bench role in a major European fixture has raised fresh questions about his current standing. At 31, he is not at the end of his career, but the contrast between past promise and present reality is difficult to ignore.

The midfielder’s trajectory now prompts reflection on what injuries may have altered. Once projected as a cornerstone of Liverpool’s future, he is currently competing for minutes in Hungary, a situation that encapsulates a career marked by brilliance, interruption and uncertainty.