Naby Keita admits his family and friends all had an influence on him choosing Liverpool for his next club.

The former RB Leipzig midfielder has recalled his early years in Guinea - and how the Reds were always on his mind.

He said: “When I was around 11 or 12, my friends and I were choosing which shirts we would get for our team. Because my father nicknamed me Deco as he thought I played like him, I wanted us to get the Barcelona strip - they were my favourite.

"All my friends were Liverpool supporters, though, and I really liked the club too so we decided on them. I don't think any of them or I could really imagine that I would grow up to actually wear a real Liverpool shirt and represent the real Liverpool!"

Keita added: "I am delighted that an agreement has been reached which will allow me to join Liverpool Football Club next summer, when I will become part of a project that excites me greatly."