£52m Liverpool FLOP ready for surprise return

It’s fair to say the career of Naby Keita hasn’t worked out exactly as many thought it would.

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Jurgen Klopp was congratulated upon signing the midfielder back in 2017, although he didn’t actually join the Liverpool squad until the year after.

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Keita played his part in SEVERAL major Reds trophy wins - including the Champions League, the Premier League, the Club World Cup, the FA Cup and more - but there has always been the nagging sense of unfulfilled potential.

Keita's NIGHTMARE journey

He cost around £52 million from RB Leipzig having made his reputation as the best midfielder in the Bundesliga but never grew beyond the status of bit-part player at Anfield.

He started only 49 Premier League matches for the Reds, missing over 70 due to injury, and was bundled off on a free transfer to Werder Bremen in summer 2023.

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That didn’t work out either with the Guinea legend being voted the Bundesliga’s “flop of the season” by his fellow professionals last term.

He was also banned by the club for refusing to board the team coach ahead of a league fixture against Bayer Leverkusen and forced to train away from the first team.

Earlier this season he was on the move - initially on loan - to Hungarian top-flight side Ferencvaros, who are now managed by another ex-Reds in Robbie Keane.

Keita back for Ferencvaros

Having signed all the way back in December, Keita has still not managed a single appearance for the club but now at last appears to be getting back into a rhythm.

Keita played for Ferencvaros’ B team last week and was also on the bench for their recent Europa League fixture against Viktoria Plzen. His last appearance for Bremen came back in April 2024.

"His regeneration is progressing well and could soon make his debut for our first team,” a statement from the Hungarian club reveals, according to EuroFoot.

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While it’s a far cry from the riches and the glory of peak-Liverpool, it marks a significant step in the recovery of Keita. Let’s hope it works out.

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Liverpool next game and how to watch live

Liverpool’s game against Wolves will kick-off at 14:00 GMT on Sunday 16th February.

The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event and Ultra HD.

Not a Sky subscriber? You can sign up here to watch the Reds live.