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Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp makes Thiago Alcantara claim about Naby Keita
NABY KEITA was the best player in the Bundesliga “by far” alongside Thiago Alcantara two seasons ago and that was why Liverpool were so desperate to sign him.
Liverpool: Naby Keita shows off impressive skills in training
That is what Jurgen Klopp has said as he raved about Liverpool’s new midfielder.
The Reds chased an immediate deal for Keita 12 months ago but were put off by Leipzig’s demands.
Liverpool were quoted £70million even months before Neymar’s Paris Saint-Germain move changed the landscape of the transfer market dramatically.
But after lengthy negotiations, Liverpool eventually arranged a deal to sign Keita but allow Leipzig to keep the Guinean for another season in the German top-flight.
He is young, he is full of football skills, very stable, very good in small spaces.
Keita’s performance level dropped a little with it suggested that his head was already in England - but he still managed nine goals and seven assists in 39 appearances in all competitions.
And Klopp has revealed a stand-out 2016-17 campaign in which Keita helped Leipzig to finish second in their maiden year in the first division was the reason the boss wanted to sign the 23-year-old.
“I would really be a little bit too long [talking about] why I like him,” Klopp said about Keita after Liverpool’s 3-2 pre-season win over Tranmere Rovers.
“He was two years ago, together with maybe Thiago Alcantara of Bayern, for sure the best player in the Bundesliga by far.
“It was unbelievable how he played and then we wanted to get him in, but Leipzig didn’t think that was the best idea in the world so they kept him.
“And then last season was good but not as good as the year before, but it was still good.
“He is young, he is full of football skills, very stable, very good in small spaces, endurance-wise fantastic, quick, good finishes, good runs in the box.
“So that’s a package that’s really interesting and that’s why we thought we should take him.”
Keita has appeared in both of Liverpool’s summer friendlies so far and will feature again when they continue their pre-season schedule with a trip to Bury on Saturday (3pm).