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Liverpool news: Naby Keita reveals how Reds hero Xabi Alonso made him SUFFER
LIVERPOOL new boy Naby Keita has named Xabi Alonso as his toughest opponent.
Liverpool: Naby Keita shows off impressive skills in training
Liverpool signed Keita in the summer from German side RB Leipzig, securing an agreement back in January before splashing out a massive £48million to land their man.
The 23-year-old has made a positive start to his Reds career, helping them win their first four Premier League matches.
However, the Liverpool star has now revealed that Reds hero Xabi Alonso made him suffer when they locked horns in the Bundesliga.
He told the club’s official website: “When I used to play against Bayern, Xabi Alonso always used to give me a really hard time.
“He was so experienced... he made me suffer.
“The way he'd keep switching play just meant that you could never stop running. He was very intelligent.”
Back in June, Alonso lauded Liverpool for securing Keita’s signature.
“He’s a big personality,” he said.
“He has the hunger, the will to compete, and after in football terms he’s an all-round midfielder.
“[He’s] Good with the ball, he runs and dribbles very quickly with the ball, but he also likes to make things tick in the midfield.
“I think for this position in front of the holding midfielder, or even as a holding midfielder [or] close to the front three, he can have that role to find the space and to be up there. So [he’s a] good signing.
“He will have to adapt to the idea [of Klopp’s philosophy], but I don’t think that he will have many problems because he’s a great player and very complete.
Liverpool fans create brilliant chant for Naby Keita
“[Under] Jürgen you need to do [play like] ‘bang, bang, bang’ and if he gets it, he will do well.”
Alonso enjoyed five successful years at Liverpool.
He signed for the club from Real Sociedad in 2004 and helped the Reds win the Champions League and FA Cup during his time on Merseyside.
Alonso then quit the club for Real Madrid in 2009, before retiring after a Bundesliga swansong with Bayern Munich.