Naby Keita believes he is still being shown 'a lot of love' from Liverpool supporters after leaving in the summer of 2023

Naby Keïta has had a difficult time since leaving Liverpool for Werder Bremen last summer(Image: Stuart Franklin - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Naby Keita believes he is still being shown "a lot of love" from Liverpool supporters and explained why he turned down the opportunity to extend his stay at Anfield.

Keita left the Reds last summer for Bundesliga side Werder Bremen on a free transfer having been bought for £52.75million from RB Leipzig in July 2018.

Despite spending five years at the club, constant injury setbacks and loss of form restricted him to just 129 appearances.

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Nevertheless, Keita still claimed Premier League and Champions League winners' medals and started the successful Club World Cup final in 2019 and the FA Cup and League Cup finals in 2022.

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And Keita has revealed that while his time at the club was tinged with frustration, he is still warmly received by Liverpool supporters.

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“The Liverpool fans have given me a lot of love,” he said.

Liverpool is a family and you never walk alone.

"My aim was to fulfil my childhood dream of winning titles.

That was the most important thing.

"This team was hungry.

He’s a fantastic coach and he was the strength of this group.”

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Of his injury issues, Keita added: “It was tough mentally, of course.

I did everything I could to be there for the team at all times, but unfortunately injuries are part of our job.”

In an extensive interview with The Guardian, Keita - who is currently training with the Bremen under-23 squad after a controversial fall-out over discipline in April having barely featured last season - has also claimed he could have signed a new deal at Anfield.

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“I had the option of extending my stay at Liverpool but, after five years, I wanted to get more playing time elsewhere,” said the Guinea international.