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Liverpool’s Naby Keita international availability confusion put to bed

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Liverpool’s Naby Keita to stay and work on fitness and not join the Guinean Football team.

Guinean Football Federation has confirmed that Liverpool midfield star Naby Keita will play not be called up to participate in Guinea’s forthcoming international friendlies. He has not been deemed fit in spite of some confusion over his fitness a couple of weeks ago. The midfielder will continue to receive treatment for a thigh muscle injury that he has been nursing for quite a while.

The Guinean Football Federation has two international friendlies against continental rivals, Algeria and Ivory Coast, scheduled for the third and fourth week of September. They will feature without their star player in midfield.

Keita has not played a game for Liverpool since his appearance in the win over Manchester City in the Community Shield. After a lot of transfer speculation and fitness worries, he was dropped from Liverpool’s Champions League squad for at least the first half of this season.

Given his injury concerns, it is good news for Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp that common sense has prevailed, and he will be given extra time to recover.

Keita’s injury issues and fight for fitness was closely monitored by the medical staff of his national side. They were in continuous liaison with Liverpool’s medical staff regarding progress and updates.

The Guinean Football Federation released a statement that read, “His state of health has been the subject of particular attention, and regular exchanges have taken place between the Guinean Football Federation, Liverpool Football Club, and the player. As indicated by the national coach on September 7, 2022, Mr. Kaba Diawara, a final assessment was made by the technical staff.

“It has been noted that the player’s situation is improving. However, according to the medical report sent by the Liverpool Football Club, Naby Keita is considered too fair for the two games of Guinea. The technical staff of the Guinea national team has made the final decision to let the player continue his club’s treatment protocol in order to allow him to return to competition as soon as possible and be available for the next national team matches and in clubs.”

Keita is working with physios to come up to speed and stake a claim in the Liverpool squad. As of now, his tentative date of return to the squad is also unknown. Given the amount of ambiguity around his current situation, it is unclear what his role will be once he returns from fitness.

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