Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter
Guinea manager Paul Put has revealed how he was forced to put pressure on Liverpool to release Naby Keita for international duty.
The midfielder has not played for the Reds since picking up a groin injury on May 1 against Barcelona in the Champions League.
The injury meant the 24-year-old missed the Champions League final victory over Spurs.
But Put has revealed he insisted on Keita’s release for the friendly vs Egypt in order to be ready for the African Cup of Nations .
“Keita leaves [Liverpool] after training in the morning and arrives Monday [evening],” he told told Foot224.
Show all 24 1 /24Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings How did we rate Liverpool's players and Jurgen Klopp during the 2018-19 campaign?
AFP/Getty Images
Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Alisson Becker - 8/10 A few nervous moments here and his cavalier approach tempts fate slightly too often, but the £65m signing from Roma has been a marked upgrade on his predecessors.
Getty
Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Simon Mignolet - 6/10 Played just twice, in two domestic cup defeats, but Mignolet has been an exemplary dressing room influence despite a year spent in Alisson’s shadow.
Getty
Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Trent Alexander-Arnold - 9/10 His 13 assists from right-back set a new record for a defender in Premier League history. Still just 20-years-old, yet already one of the world’s best in his position.
Getty
Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Virgil van Dijk - 9.5/10 The PFA Player of the Year was a deserving winner, having barely had an off day since August. His transformative effect on Liverpool’s defence cannot be underestimated.
Getty
Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Joe Gomez - 7/10 Excellent in the first half of the campaign as Van Dijk’s partner in central defence, unfortunate to then break his leg and miss much of the remainder.
Reuters
Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Dejan Lovren - 6/10 Never disgraced himself but injury and the form of others have demoted Lovren from Liverpool’s second-choice centre-back to their fourth.
Getty
Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Joel Matip - 8/10 Stepped in to partner Van Dijk in the second half of the campaign and defied his critics. His performance in the win over Barcelona was particularly good.
Getty
Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Andrew Robertson - 9/10 The best full-back in the Premier League over the last 18 months. His work rate, delivery and sheer tenacity are exceptional.
Getty
Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Alberto Moreno - 4/10 Little more than cover for Robertson, he stepped in on occasion without causing chaos. Will leave Anfield when his contract expires this summer.
Getty
Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Fabinho - 8/10 Took time to adapt to Klopp’s style and the rigours of English football but now appears right at home. His snarling display against Barcelona was a highlight.
Getty
Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Naby Keita - 6/10 A qualified disappointment. Not yet lived up to great expectations, but there have been enough moments of promise to suggest he will have a better second season.
Getty
Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Jordan Henderson - 8/10 The much-maligned captain has shown why he has the trust of many at Anfield. More effective when he was moved out of holding midfield and further forward during the run-in.
AFP/Getty
Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings James Milner - 7/10 33-years-old, yet shows few signs of fading out. A player for the big moments, he was excellent in the victory over Paris Saint-Germain.
Getty Images
Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - N/A Limited to only two appearances due to the serious knee injury which was supposed to prevent him from playing a single minute this season. Will hope to stay fit next year.
Getty
Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Georginio Wijnaldum - 8/10 Quietly excellent, keeping Liverpool’s midfield ticking over and winning possession back when required. Chipped in with big goals against Cardiff and Barcelona.
Reuters
Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Adam Lallana - 4/10 Most certainly on the fringes now after two seasons without consistent playing time. Impressed in some cameos, not in others.
Getty
Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Xherdan Shaqiri - 6/10 Appeared to be an ideal impact substitute in the first half of the campaign, but his form tailed off and then so did the first-team opportunities. Origi now seems to be preferred.
Getty
Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Sadio Mané - 9/10 The finest season of career to date. Stepped into Salah’s shoes when the Egyptian’s scoring dipped, ensuring Liverpool’s front-line lost very little potency.
Getty
Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Mohamed Salah - 8/10 It was always going to be difficult to match last year, but Salah came close. 26 goals and 13 assists in all competitions is a brilliant return.
AFP/Getty
Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Roberto Firmino - 8/10 Another who did not always reach the heights of last year but still the finest practitioner of the ‘false nine’ role in the Premier League.
Reuters
Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Divock Origi - 8/10 Only played 21 times, only scored seven times but made an impact that will save his Anfield career. Goals against Everton, Barcelona and Newcastle were all huge.
Getty
Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Daniel Sturridge - 6/10 On his way out this summer, and performances later in the season showed why, but enjoyed a excellent September and scored that brilliant, late equaliser at Chelsea.
Getty
Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Jurgen Klopp - 9/10 Made the most of the resources at his disposal, recorded a huge points total, yet fell just short of the title.
Getty
“I put a lot of pressure on Liverpool to [send him] as soon as possible.
“In the end, I said that if Naby does not come now, it will be difficult to put [him on] the list for Africa Cup of Nations. He said he will play against Egypt.”
Jurgen Klopp had previously revealed his belief that Keita would be ready for the start of the tournament, with Guinea’s opener against Madagascar on June 22.
“Naby is, I would say, a bit ahead of schedule, but that doesn’t mean anything for the final,” Klopp said.
“He is now doing straight runs and all of that stuff, he feels comfortable with 50 per cent intensity and these things – but there is still a way to go.
“I know about the issues with Guinea and stuff like that; we don’t want to keep a player out if he can play – maybe they think it is like this, but it is not like this.
“For me, it would be good if Naby would be 100 per cent fit and could play the Africa Cup of Nations, to be honest.
Sadio Mane and Naby Keita with the trophy (Getty) “But we don’t know, we will see, and we need to work together with their medical department because in the end, a player who is fit – from my point of view – who can play, should play for his country.
“If he is not 100 per cent fit, he cannot play. That’s how it is. It looks good, very positive and we will see if there is a chance.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies