{"id":475192,"date":"2025-10-05T05:45:24","date_gmt":"2025-10-05T05:45:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/475192\/"},"modified":"2025-10-05T05:45:24","modified_gmt":"2025-10-05T05:45:24","slug":"i-went-through-hell-at-liverpool-im-finally-enjoying-my-football-again-after-leaving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/475192\/","title":{"rendered":"I went through hell at Liverpool &#8211; I&#8217;m finally enjoying my football again after leaving"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Naby Keita left Liverpool in the summer of 2023 after five years at the club, and has since endured a difficult time with Werder Bremen before being sent on loan to Ferencvaros<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2_Liverpool-FC-v-Real-Madrid-UEFA-Champions-League-Final-202122.jpg\" alt=\"Naby Keita of Liverpool reacts during the UEFA Champions League final match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid at Stade de France \" loading=\"eager\"  \/>Naby Keita of Liverpool reacts during the UEFA Champions League final match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid at Stade de France (Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Naby Keita has confessed that he&#8217;s finally finding enjoying his football again after a challenging few seasons. The Guinean midfielder&#8217;s time with <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/liverpool-fc\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Liverpool<\/a> was marred by frequent injuries, restricting him to just eight <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/premier-league\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Premier League<\/a> appearances in his final year at Anfield.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/naby-keita\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Keita<\/a> bid farewell to the Reds in the summer of 2023 when his contract expired, and he returned to Germany, signing for Werder Bremen on a free transfer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">However, his troubles persisted at the Bundesliga club, leading to his exclusion from the team after he refused to board the coach upon discovering he wouldn&#8217;t be in the starting XI for a match against Bayer Leverkusen in April 2024.<\/p>\n<p>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/florian-wirtz-emotional-liverpool-struggles-36014251\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36014251\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Florian Wirtz gets emotional after being told what to do as Liverpool struggles continue<\/a>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/hugo-ekitike-alexander-isak-liverpool-36014877\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36014877\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak battle takes twist as Liverpool star makes admission<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">After only five appearances for Bremen, Keita was loaned out to Ferencvaros in January, where he&#8217;s been experiencing a more successful stint under the management of ex-Liverpool striker Robbie Keane.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">The 30-year-old has made 21 appearances for the Hungarian side so far, contributing to them winning the Nemzeti Bajnoksag I title last season. Despite a narrow defeat to Qarabag in the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/champions-league\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Champions League<\/a> qualifiers, they went on to secure a spot in the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/uefa-europa-league\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Europa League<\/a> league phase.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">This season, Keita has already made 10 appearances for Ferencvaros, providing two assists. And after a frustrating period plagued by injuries, the midfielder is relieved to be rebuilding his career in Hungary.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">&#8220;I have had a lot of injuries in the last year and couldn&#8217;t give a lot to Bremen last season,&#8221; he admitted. &#8220;But I&#8217;m happy I&#8217;m getting games here in Hungary and beginning to enjoy it all again.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Keita arrived at Liverpool in a \u00a352.75m transfer from RB Leipzig during the summer of 2018.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">However, the deal had been struck the previous year following the Reds&#8217; initial unsuccessful attempt to convince the German side to sell in 2017, before they rejected further mid-season efforts to bring his arrival forward to January.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">The midfielder would rack up 129 appearances across his five-year Anfield stint, contributing 11 goals and six assists whilst helping Liverpool secure the Premier League, Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/fa-cup\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">FA Cup<\/a>, League Cup and European Super Cup.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Keita has now disclosed what <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/jurgen-klopp\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Jurgen Klopp<\/a> said to him following his delayed arrival at Liverpool.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">&#8220;I remember when I first joined Liverpool,&#8221; Keita said. &#8220;He (Klopp) told me: &#8216;Naby, you&#8217;re here finally and you&#8217;ve earned it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">&#8220;&#8216;I want you to enjoy it and won&#8217;t put any pressure on you &#8211; the most important thing is for you to enjoy your time.'&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">&#8220;For me, that always made me want to go out there and play my best for him.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1_GettyImages-1491765287.jpg\" alt=\"Naby Keita, James Milner, Roberto Firmino and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Liverpool at the end of the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Aston Villa at Anfield \" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Naby Keita, James Milner, Roberto Firmino and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were given an on-pitch send off by Liverpool(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Keita&#8217;s Liverpool journey eventually concluded in disappointing fashion, with the midfielder hauled off at the interval during what proved to be his final outing following a lacklustre display in a goalless stalemate at <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/crystal-palace-fc\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Crystal Palace<\/a> in February 2023.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">He was later sidelined for the remainder of the season due to injury. But he harbours no resentment towards his former club.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Declaring himself a Liverpool supporter, he was thrilled to see the Reds clinch the Premier League title last season and maintains contact with several of his old team-mates.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">&#8220;Now I&#8217;m a Liverpool fan and I follow the team,&#8221; he shared with Telecomasia. &#8220;So last season was obviously very good, and it was very nice to see them win the league.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">&#8220;The new manager has come in and instantly been able to get the best out of the team &#8211; he&#8217;s been able to get his ideas across easily and early, which is a very good thing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">&#8220;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&#8217;re performing.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/KLOUWbmSQd86jj7ZbbVOHa\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Mirror<\/a> <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Football<\/a> content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don&#8217;t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you&#8217;re curious, you can read our <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reachplc.com\/site-services\/privacy-policy\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n<p>This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/affiliates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn more<\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1744106962_61_0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a343<\/p>\n<p>\u00a335<\/p>\n<p>Sky<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"AffiliateContent_content-buy-btn__xWiVO buy-btn\" aria-label=\"Buy button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/cread.php?awinmid=11005&amp;awinaffid=213635&amp;platform=dl&amp;ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sky.com%2Fdeals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\">Get the deal here<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky has slashed the price of its <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/cread.php?awinmid=11005&amp;awinaffid=213635&amp;platform=dl&amp;ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sky.com%2Fdeals\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Essential TV and Sky Sports<\/a><\/strong> bundle ahead of the 2025\/26 season, saving members \u00a3192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Naby Keita left Liverpool in the summer of 2023 after five years at the club, and has since&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":475193,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8815],"tags":[748,393,4884,4198,179,763,157828,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-475192","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-liverpool","8":"tag-britain","9":"tag-england","10":"tag-great-britain","11":"tag-jurgen-klopp","12":"tag-liverpool","13":"tag-liverpool-fc","14":"tag-naby-keita","15":"tag-uk","16":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115319978414582101","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/475192","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=475192"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/475192\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/475193"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=475192"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=475192"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=475192"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}