Naby Keita rejected interest from Barcelona and Bayern Munich to link up with Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. Keita completed his move from Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig to Liverpool in the off-season after the Premier League giants struck a deal last term worth £48 million ($64m).
Liverpool’s willingness to wait a year for Keita – despite what was at the time a club-record deal – swelled anticipation. So did giving him the No 8, vacant since Gerrard left in 2015. Keita was granted a ceremonial passing of the shirt from the club legend ahead of his grand Anfield unveiling.
“When I came here that day I didn’t know Steven would be at Melwood,” says Keita. “It was a surprise to me. It was exciting. He said, ‘Everyone will be here for you, we’re all going to help you develop’.
The 23-year-old Guinea star is set to form a formidable midfield alongside the likes of fellow new signing Fabinho , and captain Jordan Henderson. And Keita revealed he turned down La Liga champions Barca and Bundesliga holders Bayern to end up with the Champions League finalists at Anfield.
“It’s true to say that there were other teams involved like the ones you mentioned,” Keita said via the Guardian when speaking of interest from the La Liga and Bundesliga giants. “But a big part of my decision was the role of the coach. We had good conversations. The words he spoke to me about this project really convinced me. I could see how the club was developing and I spoke at length with Sadio [Mane]. Sadio is like a brother to me. We had nine months together at Salzburg and built up a good rapport. We have been great friends since that time. He told me what a great club this was and how the team was progressing and had great potential.”
Keita earned a reputation of drawing red cards while in the Bundesliga, and the physical nature of the Premier League means he’ll be in for some hard tackles with the Reds, but the midfielder doesn’t believe the move to a roughers league will hamper him in any way.
“I think I might have been a little bit unfortunate with a couple of those,” he insisted. “The main thing is that they were not for losing my discipline. It was just a tackle that was judged to be a little bit stronger than it was. I think the referees were straight on it but, yes, it is something I need to be aware of, sure. Part of my game is winning the ball back and that is all I was trying to do.”
Liverpool can thank a former manager for Keita’s progress. Gerard Houllier, then Red Bull Salzburg’s head of global football, spotted Keita playing for FC Istres in France’s second division in 2014. Red Bull’s sporting director Ralf Rangnick secured the switch to sister club RB Leipzig two years later.
“Gerard spoke to me a lot about my football development when we were at Red Bull,” says Keita. “I don’t think the physical aspect is going to have a negative impact on me at all,” he told the Telegraph . “I have watched a lot of English football and through the process of the friendly games leading up to the new season, I’ll adjust to it. I like winning the ball back. It’s something I love. I am someone who has this real winning mentality. I have a huge desire to win. That is why I am aggressive in a positive sense on the field. My first mind-set when I am out on the field is to defend well and not concede. As a midfielder, when you have sealed things up at the back, my job is to provide the ammunition for the strikers and forwards, to create opportunities for them. Also, if I get a chance that come(s) my way, I want to take it and score. But I am a team player. I think about the team and the group first always.”
Fabinho and Keita were both handed debuts as Liverpool started pre-season with a routine 7-0 win over Chester last Saturday. Liverpool are in the USA for the International Champions Cup and take on Bortussia Dortmund on Sunday in Charlotte, North Carolina.