Naby Keita returning to Liverpool after being caught in Guinea military coup - will he be back to face Leeds?

The Reds have moed to get the midfielder back to Anfield as quickly as possible.
Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita. Picture: Marc Atkins/Getty ImagesLiverpool midfielder Naby Keita. Picture: Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita. Picture: Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Naby Keita is heading back to Liverpool after being caught up in a military coup in Guinea while on international duty.

But it remains to be seen whether the midfielder will be available for the Reds’ trip to Leeds United on Sunday (16.30 BST).

At a glance: 5 key points 

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- Keita moved to Anfield for £48 million from RB Leipzig in August 2017.

- He’s helped Liverpool in both the Champions League and the Premier League.

- Keita has been stuck in Guinea after they had to cancel their game against Morocco on Monday.

- The Reds have been liaising with the 26-year-old about a return.

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- Whether Keita will be back for Jurgen Klopp’s side’s trip to Leeds on Sunday is now in doubt.

Naby Keita celebrates Liverpool’s Champions League triumph in 2019 with Sadio Mane. Picture: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty ImagesNaby Keita celebrates Liverpool’s Champions League triumph in 2019 with Sadio Mane. Picture: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
Naby Keita celebrates Liverpool’s Champions League triumph in 2019 with Sadio Mane. Picture: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images

What has happened

A military coup, led by special forces commander Mamady Doumbouya, seized power of Guinea on Sunday.

After gunfire in the capital city of Conakry, President Alpha Conde was surrounded by armed forces in the presidential palace.

Col Doumbouya said the President had disregard for human rights and economic mismanagement and that Conde is safe in custody after being ousted.

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Unsurprisingly, it forced Guinea’s World Cup qualifying match with Morocco on Monday to be cancelled.

Morocco were flown out of the country on Sunday night, having been trapped in their hotel throughout the day.

TOPSHOT - Lieutenant Colonel Mamady Doumbouya (C), head of the Armys special forces and coup leader, waves to the crowd as he arrives at the Palace of the People in Conakry on September 6, 2021, ahead of a meeting with the Ministers of the Ex-President of Guinea, Alpha Conde. - Lieutenant Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, the leader of the latest coup in Guinea, is a highly educated, combat-hardened soldier who once served in France’s Foreign Legion. Doumbouya’s special forces on September 5, 2021 seized Alpha Conde, the West African state’s 83-year-old president, a former champion of democracy accused of taking the path of authoritarianism. (Photo by CELLOU BINANI / AFP) (Photo by CELLOU BINANI/AFP via Getty Images)TOPSHOT - Lieutenant Colonel Mamady Doumbouya (C), head of the Armys special forces and coup leader, waves to the crowd as he arrives at the Palace of the People in Conakry on September 6, 2021, ahead of a meeting with the Ministers of the Ex-President of Guinea, Alpha Conde. - Lieutenant Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, the leader of the latest coup in Guinea, is a highly educated, combat-hardened soldier who once served in France’s Foreign Legion. Doumbouya’s special forces on September 5, 2021 seized Alpha Conde, the West African state’s 83-year-old president, a former champion of democracy accused of taking the path of authoritarianism. (Photo by CELLOU BINANI / AFP) (Photo by CELLOU BINANI/AFP via Getty Images)
TOPSHOT - Lieutenant Colonel Mamady Doumbouya (C), head of the Armys special forces and coup leader, waves to the crowd as he arrives at the Palace of the People in Conakry on September 6, 2021, ahead of a meeting with the Ministers of the Ex-President of Guinea, Alpha Conde. - Lieutenant Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, the leader of the latest coup in Guinea, is a highly educated, combat-hardened soldier who once served in France’s Foreign Legion. Doumbouya’s special forces on September 5, 2021 seized Alpha Conde, the West African state’s 83-year-old president, a former champion of democracy accused of taking the path of authoritarianism. (Photo by CELLOU BINANI / AFP) (Photo by CELLOU BINANI/AFP via Getty Images)

What’s been said

A spokesman for Liverpool has insisted the club have been satisfied with the safety of Keita and were in constant dialogue.

“We are in constant contact with Naby and have had regular communication via his national team management,” the spokesman said.

“We are satisfied that he is safe and well cared for.

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“Obviously the situation is fluid and we will maintain regular dialogue with the relevant authorities as we work to get Naby back to Liverpool in a timely and secure manner.”

What’s been reported

On Monday, Guinea Football Federation president Antonio Souare visited the Guinea squad to help organise the return of the players to their respective clubs.

Also among the squad is Florentin Pogba, the brother of Manchester United and France midfielder Paul Pogba.

As per African journalist Thierno Amadou Makadji, Liverpool have joined forces with Olympiacos, Toulouse, Clermont and other clubs for a plane that will leave Conakry today at 13.00 BST.

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Makadji shared pictures of Keita ready to board the flight this afternoon.

Will Keita have to quarantine on his return?

No. Guinea is on the UK’s Covid-19 amber travel list.

If Keita is fully vaccinated, he will have to take a PCR test two days after arriving.

Those who aren’t double jabbed must take an additional PCR test on or after day eight.

Will he be available for the trip to Leeds?

It entirely depends on when Keita arrives back in Liverpool.

Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita. Picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty ImagesLiverpool midfielder Naby Keita. Picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita. Picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
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Jetting out today means his original date he was supposed to return for futy may not change - but it depends on the route he has to take to get back to Merseyside.

In addition, Klopp will likely be wary that Keita has endured a difficult and unsettling few days.

That could come into the Liverpool boss’ selection process heading to Elland Road.

Keita started the opening two Premier League games of the season - wins over Norwich and Burnley - before he was an unused substitute in the 1-1 draw against Chelsea before the international break.

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