Jurgen Klopp addressed the latest concern about Naby Keita after he received a call-up to play for Guinea. The Liverpool player is injured.
There was a surprise at Liverpool this week as Naby Keita received a call-up to play for Guinea over the international break. That’s certainly not what you expect of a player who has barely featured this season because of an injury. An injury he still has.
But it appears that Guinea want to use Keita – and he hasn’t immediately told them no. It’s not a situation that Jurgen Klopp likes, quite clearly, as he addressed it on Monday.
“No, I don’t expect him [Keita] to go on international duty,” said Klopp, per Liverpoolfc.com.
“The expected return date is somewhere in October, that’s why we had to make the decision. With [Oxlade-Chamberlain] it is the same and that’s why the two boys are not in the Champions League squad because of their expected return.
“It can differ a little bit, but we had to make the decision now or last week and that’s why we made the decision.”
Naby Keita gets Guinea call-up
It’s a very strange one and it would be fairly shocking to see Keita play for Guinea over the break. Liverpool have needed him recently, with their midfielders dropping like flies.
It places extra importance on getting players back quickly and properly. Playing internationals – even if you’ve literally just recovered – is a risk that feels wildly unnecessary.
And it would come as Keita negotiates a new contract. His current deal expires at the end of the season, after all. Playing in these internationals wouldn’t exactly strengthen his position – and that position isn’t strong as it is.
This promises to be one to watch, then. Klopp is very clear that he doesn’t expect Keita to play for Guinea over the next few weeks. Let’s see if he’s right or wrong.
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