Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita has revealed that he grew up admiring Reds legend Steven Gerrard.
Keita, speaking to ESPN, says that he used to run around in a Liverpool shirt with his father when he was younger, with Gerrard being his favourite player.
[My father] has spoken to me loads since I signed for Liverpool about how much he loved them. As a kid, we used to play wearing a Liverpool shirt in the streets. He had that love of Liverpool then.
Because I’m a midfielder and Gerrard was always the boss of the side, it couldn’t be anyone else other than Steven Gerrard — that’s who you’d be when you were playing, wanting to be like him.
The midfielder, who has joined the club from RB Leipzig, has taken over the famed number eight shirt at Anfield, with Steven Gerrard delivering the news to Keita personally
Speaking about the incident, Keita said this:
It was a big shock. Steven said: ‘Everyone’s going to be here for you, to help you develop’.
I’m aware it’s a big number here and I’m very excited to wear it. But it’s also something I’m not going to put any extra pressure on myself with.
Keita has impressed in pre-season for Liverpool, ahead of the new Premier League season next month.
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