Player Profiles : Naby Keita

Naby Keita was described as the ‘complete midfielder’ by Jürgen Klopp when he arrived in Liverpool in July 2018. Klopp was so keen on the player that the deal had been agreed a year beforehand when the Reds had agreed that they would trigger his £48million release clause at RB Leipzig. He spent two seasons with the German club, helping them qualify for a first-ever Champions League in 2017. 

Born in 1995, Keita grew up in Guinea and joined his local side Horoya at the age of nine. After unsuccessful trials with Le Mans and Lorient, he was offered a chance by French Ligue 2 side Istres, signing for them in 2012. Making his debut as an eighteen-year-old in November 2013, he went on to score eleven goals in 23 appearances, but couldn’t save his club from relegation to the third tier.