Naby Keita is thrilled to be inheriting the No8 shirt at Liverpool.
Keita has revealed how he was left astounded when Rangers boss Steven Gerrard handed it over to him.
Keita has revealed how he was surprised by the Anfield legend - then the club’s U18s manager - on his first visit to Melwood last August once the club had agreed a deal for his services with RB Leipzig.
He told Liverpoolfc.com: “It was an incredible day for me. He gave me the No.8 jersey. When it happened, it was a surprise and I didn’t expect it.
“When he came in, I looked at him and said, ‘wow’ because he is a legend. He is somebody who always showed respect, who gave his all on the pitch, somebody who is loved here.
“If somebody like that gives you his shirt number, it’s not to play around with, it is to try and do as much as he did – that’s my motivation.”
"It was an incredible day for me."
Naby Keita has revealed how he was left astounded when Steven Gerrard handed the No.8 jersey over to him: https://t.co/G3708QjuPH#NK8pic.twitter.com/bFAFVFWKcx — Liverpool FC (@LFC) June 27, 2018
