Werder Bremen midfielder Naby Keita has admitted that his start to life at the club has been difficult for him, following his move from Liverpool in the summer.
Keita has been speaking to BILD, relayed by Fussball News, regarding his move in the summer and his big ambitions moving forwards.
He left Liverpool on a free transfer in the summer after a disappointing spell at Anfield that was completely ruined by a series of various injury issues.
He was very much considered Bremen’s star signing of the summer but has barely been seen so far, with an injury picked up on his arrival meaning he’s been unable to establish himself or manage more than a handful of minutes on the pitch.
He’s now back at full fitness and hoping to bounce back, after what he admits has been a difficult return to the Bundesliga.
“I admit, it was a difficult time for me,” he said.
“I wanted to get started straight away and then this injury happened. I am very grateful that my family and especially my wife supported me a lot. My newborn daughter was also a big help. She is now six months old and a great asset in my life,”
Keita’s return will be more than welcomed by Bremen, who currently find themselves sitting 14th in the Bundesliga table and just a point outside of the bottom three.
It’s a different state of affairs to what he was accustomed to at Liverpool, where he was part of a squad that regularly competed for the title and in the Champions League.
Indeed, he won both at the club, as well as an FA Cup, EFL Cup, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup in a prosperous period under Jurgen Klopp.
In comparison, Bremen’s last league title came in 2004 but Keita isn’t concerned and thinks the club can be competing higher up the table, and perhaps in Europe again.
“It was clear to me that I was leaving Liverpool, and I could prepare myself to do something new,” he added.
“Yes, we have different goals here than at the clubs for which I played before. The Champions League is not something we have on our minds with Werder at the moment.
“But I always say, why not. It may be that the day will come at some point when we will be involved higher up.”
