Liverpool’s perfect start this season has come thanks to some familiar faces—goals by Mohamed Salah, Daniel Sturridge, Sadio Mané, and James Milner. With nearly all of the talent that took Liverpool to the Champions League final last season ready to contribute again, it makes sense that Liverpool look strong. Still, returning talent does not tell the whole story. A major new addition is Naby Keita, who has slid right into Liverpool’s starting XI on the left side of central midfield.



At Leipzig, the 23-year-old Guinea international usually played as one of the two deeper midfielders in Ralph Hasenhüttl’s 4-2-2-2 formation. Though he now plays in a three-man midfield in Jürgen Klopp’s 4-3-3, many of his responsibilities are similar to those he shouldered so well in Germany.



One of the most prominent skills that Keita has demonstrated for his new team is his comfort in transition, a key facet of Liverpool’s...