Jurgen Klopp believes Naby Keita has taken the “big step” he needed in his Liverpool career as he explained the change that has sparked the midfielder into life.

Keita produced his best performance since making a £52.75million move from RB Leipzig last summer to help the Reds earn a 3-0 win at home to Bournemouth on Saturday.

The Guinean played a part in all three goals, most notably the third when his excellent pass with the outside of his right foot released Roberto Firmino to assist Mohamed Salah.

And Klopp believes there is still plenty more to come from the 24-year-old.

“It was a big step, this game,” said the Reds boss. “The second half against West Ham was a big step but nobody really realised it because nobody was happy with the game and nobody talked about this.

“Maybe people liked to talk more about the negative things from the first half with Naby. It was not good at West Ham, that’s no problem.

“We will probably see a couple of bad halves from Naby in the future, that’s completely normal.

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Klopp speaks to the press after Liverpool's 3-0 win over Bournemouth

“But it was clear the whole week the second half was really important to him. The position was clearer and clearer.

“Bournemouth was a really good game. There is still a lot to come because he is still adapting.

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“Sometimes it takes longer, that’s how it is. People lose patience, that’s normal – but we don’t. This was obviously one of the best games he’s played.”

Keita has now made four successive Premier League appearances for the first time, and Klopp admits it was a conscious effort to help the player find more rhythm.

(Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

“We have a lot of options Hendo maybe could have played,” he said. “Adam (Lallana) could have played again but it was clear that Naby was pretty much one of the first on the teamsheet but for different reasons.

“I’ve said it pretty much about all of the (new) players, we are really demanding.

“The boys have a lot to learn, if you want – it’s not that it’s constantly about that. It’s just that I’ve said this (before) and you can look back on your notes... adapting to what we want always leads to a little drop.”

Liverpool have reverted to a 4-3-3 formation in recent weeks which has allowed Keita to prosper to a greater degree in a more accustomed central role having previously often operated on the left flank.

“To be honest we didn’t speak about it too much when he came in because he was naturally in front of the centre-half he needed to perform from the first game,” said Klopp.

“Naby, as a midfielder, has played in a half position or in a different position with two sixes, or on the wing. So, you have to talk and explain.

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“For a boy or a young boy – he turned 24 on Sunday – he made a big move from Leipzig to Liverpool; he wants to do it right.

“On Saturday it looked natural. That’s exactly where we wanted it to come and where we wanted it to go. It was the big step he needed.”