Naby Keita Wrapped in Cotton Wool at Werder Bremen After Injury Setback
Naby Keita has yet to make his Werder Bremen debut following his latest injury setback. The midfielder left Anfield on a free transfer this summer, bringing his five-year stay at Liverpool to an end. He amassed 129 appearances in an injury-hit Reds career and his bad luck with fitness appears to have followed him to Germany.
Keita joined the Bundesliga side in June following the expiry of his Liverpool deal but was almost immediately struck down by an adductor muscle injury during pre-season. BILD have reported that the midfielder is being “wrapped in cotton wool” as he awaits his first appearance for Werder Bremen.
It comes after Keita’s medical was said to have left “no reason to worry” despite reports that the club’s medical staff were “sceptical” about his fitness record. BILD added that the Guinea international’s arrival had been treated as a “great source of hope” for the German side’s upcoming prospects, but that enthusiasm has now been dampened somewhat. It is now said that “the euphoria has faded” given the 28-year-old’s lack of availability since joining the club in the summer.
Liverpool fans know all too well that Keita can’t be overly relied upon when it comes to getting out on the pitch. The midfielder arrived at Anfield in the summer of 2018, with an agreement having been struck between Liverpool and RB Leipzig 12 months earlier. His spell on Merseyside was hampered by a string of various short-term injury issues and he failed to firmly nail down a regular spot in Jurgen Klopp‘s side.
Keita waved goodbye to the Kop following the final home game of last season against Aston Villa and has not registered a competitive club appearance since. He was involved for his country over the summer as he captained Guinea in clashes with Brazil and Egypt prior to his latest injury, but a timeline for his Bundesliga return having left RB Leipzig five years ago remains unclear.
Naby Keita’s Injury History
Naby Keita’s time at Liverpool was plagued by injury issues, with the midfielder missing a total of 37 games due to various ailments. His most serious injury came in December 2019 when he suffered a thigh injury which kept him out for three months. He also missed a large chunk of the 2018/19 season due to a hamstring problem, while he also missed games due to back and groin issues.
The 28-year-old’s bad luck with injuries appears to have followed him to Germany, where he has yet to make an appearance for Werder Bremen due to an adductor muscle injury sustained during pre-season. The club are said to be taking a cautious approach with Keita, wrapping him in cotton wool as they await his return.
Keita’s Liverpool Career
Naby Keita arrived at Anfield in the summer of 2018, with an agreement having been struck between Liverpool and RB Leipzig 12 months earlier. He made a total of 129 appearances for Liverpool, scoring seven goals and providing six assists.
Despite his injury issues, Keita still managed to make a significant contribution during his time at Liverpool. He scored important goals against Barcelona and Chelsea in the Champions League, while he also provided two assists in the 2019 Champions League final win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Conclusion
Naby Keita’s time at Liverpool was hampered by various injury issues, and it appears that his bad luck has followed him to Germany. The midfielder is yet to make an appearance for Werder Bremen due to an adductor muscle injury sustained during pre-season, and the club are said to be taking a cautious approach with Keita, wrapping him in cotton wool as they await his return.
Despite his injury woes, Keita still managed to make a significant contribution during his time at Liverpool, scoring important goals and providing assists in both domestic and European competitions. Liverpool fans will be hoping that he can stay fit and make a successful return to action in Germany.