Jurgen Klopp has hinted to Liverpool fans about the good times with Naby Keita, but admitted that his injury woes are likely to change the long-lasting perception of the midfielder.
Keita leaves this summer, his contract expires on June 30 and he has said goodbye to the club he called home for five years following his arrival in 2018. He left the club alongside Roberto Firmino, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, all of whom contributed particularly to the club’s good fortune during the more than 8 years with Klopp.
Keita, 28, arrived at the start of the 2018/19 season, his presence helping Liverpool record 97 league times as he finished a moment behind City and won the Champions League in his first season. He made 33 appearances this season, before injury affected the 2019/20 Premier League-winning campaign.
Injuries were a recurring theme in his time at the club, but he contributed enough to leave Anfield with six championship medals and play matches for the club. This was a point Klopp was keen to tense in an interview when the midfielder left after the final game of the season.
Klopp told the Liverpool club’s website: “Naby is an exceptional footballer, what a player he is. Maybe one or two more injuries prevented him from getting through. “
“But if you overlook, and I would definitely recommend it, if you go through our big Liverpool FC games, you might be surprised at how Navia was in the starting line-up and how he played incredibly well. “
After wearing Steven Gerrard’s No. 8 blouse on arrival at the club, much was expected of Keita and his £48 million prize promised wonderful things. The upheavals limited him to just 49 starts in the Premier League.
However, with such high levels of good fortune at the club in recent years, every player will have played their part in their contributions both on and off the pitch. It’s a point Klopp reiterated, congratulating Keita on winning every primary. Honours to have had his time at the club.
He added: “It was a bit embarrassing, while I was doing well and then a little injury here, a bit of muscle there. It wasn’t very good and that’s probably what other people won’t forget either. “However, in its day and age, it is world-class, without a doubt.
“And I wish him the best of luck because surely he has also won everything here in Liverpool, which not many people can say. “
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