Frank Christian
Naby Keita has shared insights about his exit from Liverpool in 2023 and his subsequent return to the Bundesliga.
Keita was part of a significant player turnover at Liverpool after the conclusion of the 2022/23 season, leaving as a free agent.
After joining from RB Leipzig for £50m ($65m) in 2018, the Guinean international had a patchy five-year spell at Anfield following two strong seasons in Germany.
His time under Jurgen Klopp was hampered by injuries and fluctuating performance levels, which made it difficult for him to secure a consistent starting role.
Although he contributed to the club’s triumphs in the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, EFL Cup, FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup, Keita was largely considered a rotational player.
Despite some dissatisfaction regarding his time with the team, Keita expressed gratitude towards the fans after his departure.
“The Liverpool fans have given me a lot of love. Even today, wherever I meet them, they show me the same love,” he shared in an interview with The Guardian.
“They’re the best fans in the world. Liverpool is like family and you never walk alone. My goal was to achieve my childhood dream of winning titles. I’ll never forget winning the Premier League after 30 years and the Champions League; these are unforgettable moments.
“We collected numerous trophies and brought joy to our fans, which is what truly matters. Each game, we aimed for victory, and we were fortunate to have Jurgen Klopp inspiring us to perform at our best. He’s an outstanding coach and the backbone of our team.”
Keita mentioned that he could have extended his contract with Liverpool in 2022 but chose to return to Germany instead.
However, his new chapter at Werder Bremen has struggled to take off. The 29-year-old faced suspension towards the end of last season due to allegations of missing an away match against Bayer Leverkusen.
While he denies those claims, he did apologize to his teammates and has rejoined the squad for training over the summer.
With Werder Bremen considering offers from the Turkish Super Lig for him, Keita chose to remain at the club and is currently training with the U23 team, although his return to the first team remains uncertain.
