Liverpool

Daniel Sturridge "surprised" by Naby Keita quality

By Martin Crummy | 24 July 2018

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge admits that he has been "surprised" by the quality of Naby Keita since his summer arrival from RB Leipzig.

Daniel Sturridge has admitted how surprised he has been by the quality of Liverpool summer signing Naby Keita.

The Guinea midfielder was signed from RB Leipzig and has featured prominently in the Reds' pre-season.

Keita had to wait to join up with Jurgen Klopp's squad after agreeing a move to Anfield a year ago, eventually completing his £52.75m switch earlier this summer.

"I love that guy. I'm surprised how good he is actually, if I'm honest. I knew he was good but I don't watch German football too often," Sturridge told Liverpool's official website.

"I haven't seen a midfielder like him for a while, he is something different. It's crazy. The things he can do with the ball – he can defend, he can pass, he can dribble, he is fast, he is strong. He has got everything.

"I'm excited to see what he does in the Premier League and the Champions League. I sit next to him in the changing room and we have a lot of banter; my French is terrible but I try my best. His English is OK. We share some good times and have a lot of laughs together. I like him a lot, he's a good guy."

Liverpool return to pre-season action against Premier League rivals and Sturridge's former club Manchester City in the International Champions Cup in New Jersey on Thursday.