The on-going world cup seems to have cast shadows on the transfer window. Club football has been forgotten albeit temporarily as footballers are concentrating on their national duties. However, the world cup has not prevented Liverpool from officially unveiling their August 2017 acquisition from RB Leipzig, Naby Keita.
Liverpool announced on the 28th of August 2017 that a deal has been agreed with RB Leipzig for Keita who was scheduled to join Liverpool on July 1, 2018. It was reported that the deal cost Liverpool £48 million in addition to some undisclosed amounts.
Keita was officially unveiled as a Liverpool player today and will wear Steven Gerrard’s famous number 8 jersey. Gerrard was present at Keita’s unveiling. Keita said “If somebody like that [Gerrard] gives you his shirt number, it is not to play around with. It is to try and do as much as he did-that’s my motivation”.
Keita has got a huge challenge up his sleeves and we will wait to see how he lives up to his expectations when club football resumes.