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Relief for Liverpool as Naby Keita escapes military coup in Guinea

Naby Keita has escaped the military coup in his native Guinea.  The Liverpool midfielder was tra...
Richie McCormack
Richie McCormack

17.19 7 Sep 2021


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Relief for Liverpool as Naby K...

Relief for Liverpool as Naby Keita escapes military coup in Guinea

Richie McCormack
Richie McCormack

17.19 7 Sep 2021


Share this article


Naby Keita has escaped the military coup in his native Guinea. 

The Liverpool midfielder was travelling back to England on Tuesday afternoon, after flying out of the West African country.

Guinea's borders were closed after military forces overthrew president Alpha Condé.

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FIFA and CAF postponed Monday's World Cup qualifier between Guinea and Morocco, with the latter's squad allowed to leave the country late on Sunday night.

The Moroccan squad included Wolves' Roman Saiss, QPR's Ilias Chair, Watford's Imran Louza and Adam Masina, and Paris Saint-Germain's Achrif Hakimi.

Their head coach Vahid Halilhodzic claimed to have heard gunshots ring out close to their hotel. Intervention from Morocco's Mohammed VI saw them granted early departure.

Liverpool said on Monday that they were in "constant contact" with Keita and were satisfied he was "safe and well".

The Premier League side hoped the 26-year old would return in a "timely manner".

Toulouse defender Issiaga Sylla is another of Guinea's overseas-based players, and he gave an insight into the players' ordeal on Sunday.

Speaking to L'Équipe, Sylla said they had gathered for breakfast on Sunday morning when they were informed by their coach that there had been a coup.

Keita boarded a flight bound for Paris on Tuesday, alongside Sylla and other France-based players. They were due to arrive in the French capital at 8pm, Irish time.

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