Naby Keita reveals why he rejected Liverpool contract extension
Liverpool lost a trusted man in Naby Keita as he departed the club as a free agent last year. He would eventually go on to sign for Bundesliga side Werder Bremen, where he is enjoying a starring role, although is not playing in the Champions League like he would have done were it not for departing Anfield.
Keita was not a superstar by any means but his departure was fairly detrimental to the team from a defensive perspective as he provided superb solidity at the back and was even effective in carrying the ball forward. In an interview with The Guardian, he has opened up over circumstances around his exit, revealing that he turned down a contract extension at Anfield. He said:
“I had the option of extending my stay at Liverpool but, after five years, I wanted to get more playing time elsewhere. I had several offers but I decided to sign for Bremen because Germany is a country I already know. I was also convinced by what the coach and management at Bremen had to say.”
In the last year or two of his career, Keita was not playing as often as would have liked to and at the age of 29, it is understandable that he wanted to be spending the prime years of his career featuring on a regular basis. That wish of his has been granted in Germany, where he played for RB Leipzig previously before joining Liverpool.
Keita’s departure was just one among the exodus of several midfielders at Liverpool with the likes of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara no longer at the club. They were vital cogs in helping the club win the Champions League and the Premier League, but in hindsight, their departures allowed Liverpool to rebuild their midfield with younger and perhaps more energetic men.
Alexis Mac Allister, Dominic Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch have arrived in recent seasons, and have earned regular berths in the starting line-up, something which would not have been possible if the same old players would have still been at Liverpool. Gravenberch has been particularly impressive this season, not making Fabinho’s or Keita’s absence felt at all.
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As far as Keita is concerned, he is still 29 and given his track record with fitness, he should at least have four or five more years ahead of him. It will be interesting to see if he ever returns to the Premier League for a second stint in England, or if Liverpool cross paths with him on the continental stage, whether while he is at Bremen or elsewhere.
