The former Liverpool player has suggested to The Daily Mirror that the Reds should try and sign Red Bull Leipzig dynamo, Keita, in the summer transfer window.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have been linked with the player but are yet to make an official move.
McAteer claimed that Keita is a terrific player and has drawn comparisons between him and Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante, as well as former Chelsea rock Claude Makelele.
“I watch a lot of Bundesliga and Keita is a terrific player”, he said.
“He’s in the mould of N’Golo Kante and Claude Makelele – he’s full of energy, always breaking play up and getting his team on the front.”
“If Klopp manages to get him out of Leipzig it would be fantastic and allow Can to play a more forward role which would suit him better.”
Keita, a Guinea international, is just 22 years of age and rose to prominence during Red Bull Leipzig’s sensational breakthrough season in the Bundesliga last campaign – in which they finished second, qualifying for the Champions League. It was their first season in the Bundesliga, after winning promotion the previous year.
Last season, he scored 8 goals and provided 7 assists in 31 Bundesliga appearances.
Keita is a name that has featured heavily in transfer columns already this summer. There is no great indication that he will leave Red Bull Leipzig just yet, but could well move on if the right offer comes in. Liverpool would seem like a sensible next step, for a player that appears suited to the pace of the Premier League.
Liverpool have been working hard to try and bring players into the club, so far, this summer transfer window. With mixed fortunes, however.
Mohamed Salah signed from AS Roma last week. However, before then the Reds have suffered a public embarrassment over the failed approach for Southampton centre-back Virgil van Dijk. The offer collapsed and Liverpool were forced to give the South-Coast club an apology, after they claimed that the Reds had approached their man illegally, having had a deal in place for the Dutchman to sign for Manchester City instead.
Young English striker Dominic Solanke, made the move to Anfield earlier in the summer. The U20-World Cup winner has been brought in to provide competition for Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi and Sadio Mane.
However, the main priority for Klopp’s side, is to bring in a quality centre-back. While a new goalkeeper may no longer be required after Simon Mignolet’s impressive form at the end of last season.
