Naby Keita arrival excites Gerrard and Alonso - Quotes of the week
Mutual appreciation between Liverpool No.8s past and present, a move in the right direction and a career landmark.
All this and more features in our latest round-up of LFC quotes…
“I chose Liverpool because it is a team I watched often - and I also spoke a lot about it with Sadio [Mane]. 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.”
Naby Keita opens up on his reasons for joining the Reds.
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“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.”
More from Liverpool’s new No.8 - who was presented with the famous jersey by the man who wore it last…
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“Can’t wait to watch this fella #8.”
That, of course, was a certain Steven Gerrard, who is relishing the prospect of seeing Keita in action in 2018-19.
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“I saw the surgeon just now, he’s happy with everything, so we’re moving in the right direction.”
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s recovery from knee surgery is progressing well.
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“What an experience it was making my World Cup Debut! Gutted not to get three points but we now look forward to the last 16. Come on England.”
A competitive senior international debut didn’t end with the result Trent Alexander-Arnold wanted, but the Liverpool teenager looked anything but overawed by playing against Belgium at the World Cup.
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“I’m definitely proud of Jordan Henderson, who is showing through all the season that he had a great season and even with the [mental] fatigue, he shows that he is a real leader to Liverpool and also to the English team.”
Dejan Lovren has nothing but praise for his club captain, who has impressed for England at the World Cup.
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“He’s a big personality. He has the hunger, the will to compete, and after in football terms he’s an all-round midfielder.”
Xabi Alonso played against Keita twice in the Bundesliga - and the legendary World Cup winner has no doubt the Guinea international can succeed under the guidance of Jürgen Klopp.
Keita and fellow new signing Fabinho will join many of their Liverpool teammates at day one of pre-season training at Melwood on Monday.
Keep up to date with everything that happens at the training ground with Liverpoolfc.com's behind-the-scenes live blog from Melwood and LFCTV or LFCTVGO.