Naby Keita's reaction to Jurgen Klopp Liverpool exit speaks volumes

29 January 2024 , 10:48

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Naby Keita and Jurgen Klopp (Image: Getty Images)

Former Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita has revealed he was left choking back tears after hearing the news that Jurgen Klopp will be leaving the club at the end of the season.

Klopp, who is under contract until 2026, confirmed on Friday that he is stepping down in the summer - almost nine years since replacing Brendan Rodgers as the club's new manager. During his time at Anfield, Klopp has won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup among other trophies.

His surprise announcement sent shockwaves across the footballing world, with fans and pundits paying tribute to the Liverpool boss. Jamie Carragher said that Klopp's exit is a "body blow" to the Reds, while Gary Lineker admitted it was "huge news" and Alan Shearer claimed "no one was expecting it".

Keita has now paid tribute to his former manager, who signed him for Liverpool for £52million in August 2017 before his move to Anfield the following summer. Speaking to RMC Sport, Keita was quizzed on Klopp's shock exit and said: "When I heard the news, I had tears in my eyes. I was like his son in Liverpool and I consider him my dad."

Keita impressed during his first season at Liverpool, making 33 appearances in all competitions as the Reds narrowly missed out on the Premier League title and won the Champions League final. However, Keita's time on Merseyside was largely hampered by a series of unfortunate injuries.

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In the 2021/22 campaign, Keita played 40 matches - the most in a single season during his time at Liverpool - and contributed to lifting the Carabao Cup and FA Cup. Keita was limited to just eight Premier League appearances last season before leaving the club at the end of his contract.

Naby Keita and Jurgen Klopp back in 2019 (Getty Images)

Speaking after it was confirmed Keita would leave Liverpool, Klopp told the club's website: "Naby is an exceptional footballer, what a player he is. Maybe one or two injuries too many just hindered him from getting really through.

"But if you go through – and I would really recommend that – if you go through our really big games of Liverpool FC you might be surprised how often Naby was in the starting line-up and how often he played incredibly well."

Keita joined Werder Bremen upon the expiry of his contract but the midfielder hasn't had the desired impact since his move, playing just three times in all competitions.

As for Klopp, he announced his departure in a heartfelt statement ahead of Liverpool's game against Norwich on Sunday. He said: "I can understand that it's a shock for a lot of people in this moment, when you hear it for the first time, but obviously I can explain it – or at least try to explain it.

"I love absolutely everything about this club, I love everything about the city, I love everything about our supporters, I love the team, I love the staff. I love everything. But that I still take this decision shows you that I am convinced it is the one I have to take.

"It is that I am, how can I say it, running out of energy. I have no problem now, obviously, I knew it already for longer that I will have to announce it at one point, but I am absolutely fine now. I know that I cannot do the job again and again and again and again."

Kieran King