The first summer 2018 addition to Liverpool FC is Naby Keita, a deal agreed upon in the summer of 2017. The central midfielder officially becomes a Red on July 1, but he was at Melwood today for his first session with his new club, and to receive his shirt number.
It’s a very familiar squad number- #8, and it was handed to Keita by the legend himself who once wore it, Steven Gerrard. Just a few hours ago, Liverpool made a couple postings on their official website, and posted a series of tweets documenting Keita’s day at Melwood, including his meeting with Gerrard.
"It was an incredible day for me." ?
Naby Keita has revealed how he was left astounded when Steven Gerrard handed the No.8 jersey over to him: https://t.co/G3708QjuPH#NK8 pic.twitter.com/bFAFVFWKcx
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) June 27, 2018
“It was an incredible day for me. He gave me the No.8 jersey. When it happened, it was a surprise and I didn’t expect it,” Keita told the club website.
“When he came in, I looked at him and said, ‘wow’ because he is a legend. He is somebody who always showed respect, who gave his all on the pitch, somebody who is loved here.”
“If somebody like that gives you his shirt number, it’s not to play around with, it is to try and do as much as he did – that’s my motivation.”
Gerrard left his position of managing Liverpool’s U18s to become boss at Rangers this summer. Since Gerrard ended his Liverpool playing career in 2015, no one has worn the #8 at Anfield.
?#NK8 pic.twitter.com/rE3OE8gLV0
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) June 27, 2018
Asked why he decided to join Liverpool, Keita responded by saying that Reds forward Sadio Mane was instrumental.
“I chose Liverpool because it is a team I watched often – and I also spoke a lot about it with Sadio [Mane],” Keita told Liverpool FC.com
“He told me a lot about the team and the club. I also spoke with the coach, who told me about the project for the team and that motivated me to be here.”
Liverpool finished fourth in the Premier League, and runners-up to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League last season. They are still searching for their first trophy under Jurgen Klopp.
The many faces of Naby Keïta. ?
A closer look at your new No.8: https://t.co/c00KA2yJQW pic.twitter.com/uMDly6kjao
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) June 27, 2018
Naby Keita will see his first regular season chance to feature in a Liverpool shirt August 11 versus West Ham United. The Reds open their International Champions Cup preseason slate with a battle against a Bundesliga foe, Borussia Dortmund, on July 22.
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