Former Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita has been suspended until the end of the season by Werder Bremen and received a “significant fine” after reportedly refusing to play against Bayer Leverkusen.
Keita He was accused by Werder Bremen general manager Clemens Fritz of not traveling to Leverkusen when he knew he would not be in the starting eleven.
The midfielder, who played 129 times for Liverpool in five largely disappointing and injury-plagued seasons, responded to the claims on Monday.
Werder Bremen have announced that Keita has been suspended and the club stated that they had “no alternative”.
Keita, who will not train with the team nor be able to enter the locker room, has also received a “significant fine” from the Bundesliga.
Former Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita suspended until the end of the season by Werder Bremen
Keita was accused of refusing to travel for Werder Bremen’s match against Bayer Leverkusen.
Werder Bremen director Clemens Fritz said Keita’s behavior “cannot be tolerated” by the club.
“Naby’s behavior cannot be tolerated by us as a club,” Fritz said.
‘With this action he disappointed his team in a tense sporting and personal situation and placed himself above the team.
‘We can’t allow that. At this point in the season we need to focus fully on the remaining games and on a very united team.
“Therefore, there was no alternative to our measures.”
Keita had issued a statement on Monday to the Guinea international saying that he will not accept people “who try to tarnish my image.”
‘I wish to clarify my situation at my club Werder Bremen. Since I arrived at this magnificent club I have always demonstrated my professionalism,” Keita wrote on Instagram.
“I have always tried to help the club and the great fans, especially in these moments of bad results.
‘Since the beginning of my career I have never had problems with my discipline and I have always shown an exemplary attitude. I will not accept any person who tries to tarnish my image.’
Keita responded on Monday by claiming his critics were “trying to tarnish my reputation.”
Werder Bremen fell 5-0 to Leverkusen in the match that finally crowned Xabi Alonso’s team as Bundesliga champions.
Keita was signed by the German club on a three-year deal last summer after his contract with Liverpool expired.
He had joined the Reds for £48m in the summer of 2017.
Keita’s signing has been described as a “complete failure” by a German media Kickerwith the expectation that the club will look to transfer him in the summer.
Keita’s signing had initially been announced as a “no-brainer” by Werder sporting director Frank Baumann last summer, despite his injury-plagued spell at Liverpool.
The 29-year-old has made five appearances for Werder this season, only one as a starter, and played 106 minutes in the Bundesliga.
Keita has suffered more injury problems this season but made four appearances for Guinea on their way to the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations in January.
The midfielder was replaced due to injury in his only starter with Werder Bremen this season
Werder are currently 12th in the Bundesliga and are five points off the relegation play-off spot.
Keita played the 2017-18 season in Germany with RB Leipzig before arriving on Merseyside the following campaign.
He was the first player to wear Liverpool’s number 8 shirt after Steven Gerrard and scored 11 goals and provided seven assists.
During that time he helped Jurgen Klopp’s team win the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup.
Keita arrived with high expectations but injury problems ruined his time at Anfield. He has only started two Premier League games this season, largely due to two significant injuries.