Naby Keita to start Liverpool pre-season on schedule despite injury ruling him out of Africa Cup of Nations

The Guinea midfielder returned from the Africa Cup of Nations early to receieve treatment on the injury that kept him out of the Champions League final

Liverpool are confident that Naby Keita will be fit to start the Premier League season “as planned” after he returned early from international duty with an injury.

Keita started his first match in almost two months when he played for Guinea against Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations, but was forced off after 70 minutes.

He returned to Liverpool with the intention of going back to Cairo to finish the tournament after an assessment by club medical staff on his adductor muscle injury.

Keita has long suffered with muscle problems and did not return to play for Guinea as he begins to target a swift return to action with Liverpool, who are confident he will be able to meet his arranged training schedule.

“Liverpool expect Naby Keita to be fit to begin his pre-season training programme later this month,” the club confirmed.

“The midfielder sustained a minor adductor strain during Africa Cup of Nations duty with Guinea.

“The injury ended Keita’s participation in the tournament and he returned to Melwood for further examination by the club’s medical team.

Naby Keita should return to action on schedule (Getty)

“However, he is set to be ready to start pre-season training as planned when back on Merseyside following an end-of-season break later in July.”

Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool had to work hard to bring Keita to Anfield, but his first season at the club after a £54m switch from RB Leipzig was plagued by injury.

Keita was ruled out of the Champions League final with the same injury that is causing him grief now, one of 11 matches he missed for the Reds through injuries.

Liverpool begin their Premier League title challenge at home against newly-promoted Norwich City on Friday 4th August.