It has been confirmed: Naby Keïta will miss Liverpool’s Champions League final against Tottenham on Saturday, June 1, in Madrid. The Guinean midfielder will not travel with the squad, as manager Jürgen Klopp confirmed during a press conference.
“There’s no chance for Naby, even if he’s progressing well,” Klopp said, addressing concerns over the player’s availability. The German coach emphasized that, despite this setback, Keïta’s absence from the final will not affect his participation in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations with Guinea.
Keïta has been sidelined since picking up an adductor injury during the first leg of Liverpool’s Champions League semi-final against Barcelona on May 1. He had played roughly twenty minutes before being forced off in a match that ended in a 3-0 defeat at Camp Nou. Liverpool went on to overturn the deficit in the second leg, winning 4-0 at Anfield, but Keïta was unable to contribute due to the injury.
The 24-year-old midfielder has been an important figure for Liverpool since his arrival, combining defensive solidity with the ability to drive the team forward from midfield. His absence in the final will be a significant blow to the Reds, who face a strong Tottenham side in one of the biggest matches of the season.
While fans will miss seeing him on the pitch in Madrid, there is hope that Keïta will recover in time for international duty. Guinea begins its Africa Cup of Nations campaign shortly after the European season concludes, and Klopp expressed optimism that the midfielder will be fit to represent his national team in the tournament.
Liverpool will now have to adjust its midfield options for the final without Keïta, relying on other players to fill the void as they aim to secure the club’s first Champions League title since 2019.
