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Naby Keita couldn't have done any more to stake a claim for a starting role in Liverpool's big night at the Nou Camp.

The £52.75million midfielder excelled in the 5-0 rout of Huddersfield Town at Anfield.

There was plenty to admire about Keita's all-action display - both on and off the ball.

The Reds' fastest goal in Premier League history came from his pressing as he forced the mistake high up the field and he then coolly tucked away Mohamed Salah's pass.

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Having needed time to adapt to both the demands of English football and what Jurgen Klopp expected from him, the Guinea international has blossomed in the latter stages of the campaign.

With three goals in his last five appearances, he's playing with a swagger. He provides dynamism and creativity in the middle of the park.

Yet when the team sheet drops at the Nou Camp on Wednesday night it would be a surprise if Keita starts the first leg of the Reds' Champions League semi-final with Barcelona.

Klopp has adopted a horses for courses approach with his midfield unit all season and that policy is set to continue in Catalonia.

Keita hasn't featured away from home in the knockout stages of the Champions League so far. He missed the trip to Munich due to a minor injury and was then an unused sub in Porto.

His only European start away from Anfield was against Napoli back in October when he was forced off with a back spasm early on.

Klopp has favoured solidity and experience on Liverpool 's continental missions this term.

In the Allianz Arena, he started with the midfield trio of Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Gini Wijnaldum. Fabinho then made a big impact off the bench after Henderson hobbled off.

Away to Porto, it was Fabinho with Milner and Wijnaldum for company.

It's been a similar story in big Premier League assignments on the road.

Henderson, Wijnaldum, Milner started at the Etihad, while it was Fabinho, Henderson and Wijnaldum at Old Trafford.

Fabinho should come back into contention for Wednesday night after Liverpool decided not to risk him against Huddersfield following the blow to the head he suffered in the win at Cardiff.

It was telling on Friday night that Milner was given the night off and then Wijnaldum was given a breather in the second half with one eye on the trip to Spain.

Both are ideally suited to carrying out a game plan that will involve being disciplined and compact on a night when Barca are likely to dominate possession and territory.

The first leg will hinge largely on the Reds' ability to stop Sergio Busquets from running the show and not allowing Lionel Messi the space he craves to wreak havoc.

Milner knows exactly what's required having twice faced Barcelona in the knockout stages during his time at Manchester City.

“They are a strong team and it is a tough place to go, but I don’t think they will have played too many teams like us,” was the vice-captain's typically bullish assessment of the task facing Liverpool.

It's a night when Klopp will want his leaders out there. It's not a night to take any unnecessary risks.

In Munich and Porto, it worked a treat as the Reds were well drilled, frustrated the hosts and then did the damage in devastating fashion on the counter.

Keita is proving his worth for Liverpool but if he's going to have a role to play in this tie it's more likely to come at Anfield a week on Tuesday.