Liverpool flop Naby Keita ‘is annoying Werder Bremen hierarchy by arriving late to team meetings and attempting to avoid sponsorship events’ – as injury-hit midfielder struggles for game time in Germany
- Keita missed 95 games due to injury during his five-year tenure at Liverpool
- The Guinean footballer will leave the club in January to play for AFCON
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Naby Keita's limited appearances for new side Werder Bremen since signing this summer may be partly down to his attitude off the pitch, according to reports in Germany.
The former Liverpool star returned to the Bundesliga after his contract at Anfield expired, having previously played for RB Leipzig between 2016 and 2018.
But since joining the 14th-placed German team, Keita has been plagued by injuries similar to those during his five-year spell at Anfield.
The 28-year-old was sidelined back in July, just a month after completing his free transfer, when he suffered an abductor injury during the warm-up for a pre-season friendly against Oldenburg.
Unavailable until the end of September, Keita made his first start against TSG Hoffenheim in early October, but suffered a muscle injury that kept him out of the next four games.
Naby Keita has started just once for his new club and has failed to come off the bench in the last three games
Keita left Liverpool after an injury-plagued five-year spell that saw him miss 95 games
The midfielder has since failed to return to the side following his recovery, with manager Ole Werner opting to leave Keita on the bench since his return at the start of the month.
But according to German outlet DeichStubeKeita has reportedly not yet gained the trust of the club's hierarchy due to his behavior and punctuality.
It is believed that Keita has shown up late to meetings on a number of occasions, and has also opted out of attending various sponsorship events.
This in turn may have influenced Werner's perspective on the player, and his apparent reluctance to star Keita despite his apparent return to fitness.
It is also thought that Werner has sidelined the player in preparation for his impending departure for next year's AFCON, where the Guinea international will link up with his national team.
In view of his player's departure, Werner has recently deployed midfielders such as Senne Lynen and Justin Njinmah in matches against Augsburg and Borussia Mönchengladbach, which the coach is likely preparing for January and Keita's absence.
However, the club's director of professional football, Clemens Fritz, stressed that ensuring the player's full fitness was at the forefront of Werder's thinking.
“For us, the absolute priority in recent weeks has been to get him fit and at a good level,” Fritz argued. “That worked.”
He also added that Keita could still take part in his upcoming derby on Tuesday evening.
“Naby is stable and certainly a candidate for action against Leipzig,” Fritz continued. 'But the coach will decide for how long.
Head coach Ole Werner (right) relied on several midfielders off the bench in preparation for Keita's departure to AFCON
But director of professional football Clemens Fritz said Keita was 'stable' for the clash with Leipzig
'You can certainly see in training that he is getting better and better.'
Keita's propensity for persistent injuries – which saw him play 95 games during his Anfield tenure – may have left his return somewhat inhibited after the October setback, with reports that the player has not played competitively with full confidence, perhaps for fear of a set. back.
Should Keita be in action on Tuesday, the player will have the opportunity to help his side build a two-match unbeaten run before the winter break after a torrid November without a win.
Tuesday's home match against Leipzig will be the last the club plays until their January 14 meeting with VfL Bochum next year.