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Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has delivered his verdict on the ups-and-downs of midfield teammate Naby Keita prior to his side's Champions League first leg last 16 tie against Bayern Munich at Anfield on Tuesday night, as per liverpoolfc.com.

What's the word, then?

Well, the Reds skipper was asked about the Guinea international ahead of the massive clash against the Bundesliga giants, with the 24-year-old struggling at times and clearly taking time to settle into the English game after making the move from Germany last summer.

Speaking via liverpoolfc.com, Henderson said: "I think everyone can see how good Naby is as a footballer, but as I know myself coming to Liverpool, it's such a huge club - and especially changing to the Premier League - is tough.

"It takes time to adapt. I think he's done really well in certain games he's played and I can see him getting used to the way we're playing and the manager has helped him improve, and I can definitely see the potential you can see coming out of him.

"At the same time it takes time to feel right at home, but in the last couple of games you can see the quality that he gives the team and how good he is."

After struggling to make the starting XI earlier in the campaign and playing just 54 minutes of Champions League action so far this term, Keita has now started the Merseyside outfit's previous four matches and is in contention to be selected against Niko Kovac's men.

Can Keita be a star?

We have seen time and time again that it can take certain players longer than others to settle into English football because it is so different to other leagues, and Keita is no different.

While the attributes and traits he showed for previous club RB Leipzig suggested he was ideally suited to make an instant impact in the Premier League, it can still take time to adapt and get used to the style of play your new manager wants from you.

The 24-year-old may have got off to a slow start at Anfield, but his performances in recent weeks suggest that the best is still definitely yet to come from the African.