Naby Keita says that he was signed by Liverpool to play in a different role to the one he featured in for former club RB Leipzig, but has backed Jurgen Klopp to make him a success in English football.
The Guinean impressed initially after completing his £52.75million move to Anfield last summer, but fitness issues and adjustment to the English game curtailed his progress somewhat.
He found form towards the end of the campaign, scoring goals against Southampton , Porto and Huddersfield across five appearances in April, but an injury in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona at the Nou Camp ended his season.
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Keita was filmed celebrating wildly at home after Liverpool completed their comeback to beat Barca, and he was on the pitch to join in with the celebrations after the Reds beat Tottenham 2-0 in the Champions League final in Madrid .
“I was a playmaker in Leipzig. I took the ball with more freedom to do what I want, playing the ball to strikers and wingers to assist or get in front of goal and score,” Keita told Goal.com .
“At Liverpool , we have more attacking players like Salah, Mane and Firmino who boast great scoring numbers.
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“My first year was about adapting with the team and to the Premier League. There are big differences between football in Germany and England and also between Leipzig and Liverpool, in my duties and the way of playing. I hope things will be even better next year.”
And Keita – who has recovered in time to make Guinea’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations – hopes that Klopp can work his magic on him as he did with two of his African teammates.
(Image: PA)
“Klopp knows how to treat players and help them, he always talks with everyone on and off the pitch and helps them to improve,” he said.
“He can make you give all that you have and more on the pitch.
“People can see how he improved Salah and Mane and I hope he can do the same with me next season.
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“We won Champions League for the first time since 2005 and were competing for Premier League until the last match, so of course it was good for the team and for me to be part of this in my first season.
“Like I said before, I was adapting with the team and to football in England, so I hope I can help my team more by winning Premier League next season.”
