Keita Out For The Rest Of The Season

By Max Wise

Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering an adductor injury in the Reds Champions League defeat at Barcelona on Wednesday.

The  offensive player could also miss the African Cup of Nations (AFCON)in Egypt for Guinea next month.

Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp, confirmed this on Friday in his team news ahead of the Reds' Premier League visit to Newcastle United on Saturday. 

Keita left the semi-final first leg in the first half, moments after a clumsy tackle on him by Arturo Vidal and will play no part in the remaining games in the season as further checks reveals a high-grade adductor injury.

"That was really unlucky. It's bad news," Klopp told a news conference. "A high-grade adductor injury, the tendon is ruptured." 

"That keeps him out for at least two months. Bad news for us, obviously, and bad news for Guinea as well, with the Africa Cup of Nations coming up. It was a really, really good moment." 

"That's how football and life sometimes are - not too nice. It's very serious." 

"It's a very interesting part of the season he's not part of. He's a regular starter for the Africa Cup of Nations and that was a big target for him as well." 

"Of course, he's not in a good moment. This is a moment where we have to help the players and try everything we can. That's it."

The 24-year-old former RB Leipzig player joined Liverpool from the German outfit in July 2018 after the English club triggered his £48 million release clause in addition to paying an undisclosed premium.

Keita has scored two goals in 24 Premier League games and a goal in six Champions League appearances.