Naby Keita has been unfortunate with injuries at Anfield but Liverpool are doing everything they can to get him back to full fitness, according to sources close to Anfield Central.
Over the last fortnight, Liverpool have had Keita working closely with a new, unnamed physio that the club has hired specifically to help the former RB Leipzig dynamo overcome his niggling injuries.
After seeing what constant injuries did to Daniel Sturridge, Liverpool are desperate to see the same thing happen to Keita. There’s the added concern that the £52m they invested into the midfielder could go to waste.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 26: Naby Keita of Liverpool celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 1-0 during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Huddersfield Town at Anfield on April 26, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY ROBBIE JAY BARRAT/AMA/GETTY IMAGES.
We have been told by multiple informed sources that Keita is actually fit enough to train and bar regaining match rhythm, he is ready to return to the pitch and has been for over a week already.
That said, however, Klopp and co. are easing him back into training as they assess how he responds to indoor sessions over the next few days before taking the decision to given him clearance to return to team sessions at the Axa training facility.
With Thiago Alcantara now playing in a more advanced role for Liverpool, Keita’s fitness isn’t as urgent as it was at the start of 2021.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Naby Keita of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on December 23, 2020 in Kirkby, England. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY ANDREW POWELL/LIVERPOOL FC VIA GETTY IMAGES.
Of course, having Keita and Thiago in the same team would increase Liverpool’s creativity tenfold but for the time being, there is no rush on getting the Guinean back into the starting XI.
If it means that Liverpool lose him to another injury, Klopp won’t risk Keita. That said, the last few days in the gym have been encouraging.
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