The Guinean Football Federation have confirmed Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita will not be taking part in their upcoming friendlies against Algeria and Ivory Coast.
Despite being sidelined through injury, the 27-year-old was called-up for international duty earlier this month. Keita hasn't featured for Liverpool since the Community Shield victory over Manchester City and wasn't named in the Champions League squad for the first half of the season, indicating he will still be sidelined for some time.
Guinea boss Kaba Diawara said two weeks ago on Keita's inclusion: “His situation is improving and he is even ahead of schedule. We took a group of 24 players precisely to give him a chance to be able to count on him because he is a very important player for us, on and off the pitch, he is our captain.
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“We are monitoring his situation very closely. We still have a little over two weeks before our first game. Chances are we could get him back by then.”
However, speaking before the Champions League group stage game against Ajax last week, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he didn't expect Keita to have any involvement in the matches. He told reporters: “No, I don’t expect him (Keita) to go on international duty.
“The expected return date is somewhere in October, that’s why we had to make the decision. With Ox it is the same and that’s why the two boys are not in the Champions League squad because of their expected return."
With Guinea's first friendly against Algeria taking place later this week, the federation have now confirmed Keita will not play any part in their upcoming matches as he's been deemed not fit enough.
They said in a statement : "The midfielder and captain of the Syli National will not be able to honor his summons on the sidelines of the international break in September 2022 due to his state of physical health. Selected as the 24th player, Naby Keita was followed closely by the technical staff of the national team of Guinea.
"His state of health has been the subject of particular attention and regular exchanges have taken place between the Guinean Football Federation, Liverpool Football Club and the player. As indicated by the national coach on September 7, 2022, Mr. Kaba Diawara, a final assessment was made by the technical staff.
"It has been noted that the player's situation is improving. However, according to the medical report sent by the Liverpool Football Club, Naby Keita is considered too fair for the two games of Guinea. The technical staff of the Guinea national team has made the final decision to let the player continue his club's treatment protocol in order to allow him to return to competition as soon as possible and be available for the next national team matches. and in clubs."
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