Injured Liverpool star forced to 'piggy back' from field
Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita had to be piggy-backed off the field by a Guinean team-mate, because no stretcher was available in a Rwandan stadium.
Keita started the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match in Kigali but was forced off in the first half.
The extent of Keita’s injury is currently unknown but it is the latest set-back for Liverpool and another unwanted distraction for Klopp.
He was the third Anfield star to be injured on Africa Cup of Nations duty after attackers Mohamed Salah (strained thigh muscle) and Sadio Mane (broken thumb) since last Friday.
A Guinean official confirmed to AFP that Keita, who joined Liverpool during the close season from RB Leipzig, had injured a hamstring but gave no further details.
Fans were left fuming at his treatment, given Liverpool forked out $AU96 million to sign him at the start of the season:
Injury update: Naby Deco Keita of @LFC left the pitch with an injury on the back of a player #Rwanda vs #Guinée #RWAGUI #AFCON2019Q pic.twitter.com/p1DUOFp1xM
— Kayishema Tity Thierry (@TityThierry) October 16, 2018
£52 million worth of midfielder in Naby Keita and there was no stretcher to take him off today after a suspected hammy, so they piggy backed him instead. Sound.
— Hippokloppamus (@Hippokloppamus) October 16, 2018
If i was Naby Keita id be retiring from international duty after that shambles of being injured and having to get piggy backed off the pitch. They probably x ray their injured players with a disposable camera behind the scenes too. Jokers.
— Lee 🔴🇮🇪 (@mightyreds88) October 16, 2018
The 2019 Cup of Nations qualifier at the Stade Nyamirambo in Rwandan capital Kigali finished 1-1, depriving leaders Guinea of qualification with two matchdays to spare.
Salah scored direct from a corner last Friday, but had to be substituted just before full-time as Egypt defeated eSwatini (formerly Swaziland) 4-1 in Cairo.
Mane suffered his injury while helping Senegal outclass Sudan 3-0 in Dakar 24 hours later.
Liverpool, third in the English Premier League behind Manchester City and Chelsea on goal difference, are away to third-from-bottom Huddersfield Town this Saturday.
with Agencies.