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Naby Keita has admitted that he's finally rediscovering his love for the beautiful game after a series of challenging seasons.
The Guinean midfielder's stint with Liverpool was plagued by recurring injuries, limiting him to a mere eight Premier League outings in his last season at Anfield. Keita bid adieu to the Reds in the summer of 2023 when his contract ran its course, and he made his way back to Germany, penning a deal with Werder Bremen on a free transfer.
However, his woes continued at the Bundesliga outfit, culminating in his omission from the squad after he declined to board the coach upon learning he wouldn't be in the starting line-up for a clash against Bayer Leverkusen in April 2024.
After a scant five appearances for Bremen, Keita was shipped out on loan to Ferencvaros in January, where he's been enjoying a more fruitful spell under the guidance of former Liverpool frontman Robbie Keane.
The 30-year-old has clocked up 21 appearances for the Hungarian team thus far, playing a key role in their triumph in the Nemzeti Bajnoksag I title last season. Despite a narrow loss to Qarabag in the Champions League qualifiers, they managed to clinch a spot in the Europa League group stage.
This season, Keita has already turned out 10 times for Ferencvaros, providing two assists. And after a frustrating period marred by injuries, the midfielder is relieved to be getting his career back on track in Hungary.
"I have had a lot of injuries in the last year and couldn't give a lot to Bremen last season," he admitted. "But I'm happy I'm getting games here in Hungary and beginning to enjoy it all again."
Keiita joined Liverpool in a $71M move from RB Leipzig during the summer of 2018.
Nevertheless, the agreement had been finalized the preceding year after the Reds' original failed bid to persuade the German club to part with their player in 2017, before they knocked back subsequent mid-season approaches to accelerate his switch to January.
The midfielder would clock up 129 outings during his five-year spell at Anfield, netting 11 times and providing six assists whilst assisting Liverpool in claiming the Premier League, Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and European Super Cup.
Keita has now revealed what Jurgen Klopp told him after his belated arrival at Liverpool.
"I remember when I first joined Liverpool," Keita said. "He (Klopp) told me: 'Naby, you're here finally and you've earned it. 'I want you to enjoy it and won't put any pressure on you - the most important thing is for you to enjoy your time.'
"For me, that always made me want to go out there and play my best for him."
Keita's Liverpool adventure ultimately ended in underwhelming circumstances, with the midfielder withdrawn at half-time during what turned out to be his last appearance following an uninspiring performance in a scoreless draw at Crystal Palace in February 2023.
He was subsequently ruled out for the rest of the campaign through injury. However, he holds no grudges against his former club.
Professing his allegiance to Liverpool, he was delighted to witness the Reds secure the Premier League crown last season and remains in touch with numerous former teammates.
"Now I'm a Liverpool fan and I follow the team," he revealed to Telecomasia. "So last season was obviously very good, and it was very nice to see them win the league.
"The new manager has come in and instantly been able to get the best out of the team - he's been able to get his ideas across easily and early, which is a very good thing.
"I still speak to a lot of my team-mates and they say that the new manager is very good, which is easy to believe given how they're performing."
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