It was a case of bad timing.
On the very same day that Naby Keita arrived at Liverpool and was confirmed as the Reds’ first No 8 since club legend Steven Gerrard left Anfield, it was widely reported that arch-rivals Manchester United had agreed to extend Marouane Fellaini’s contract.
Fellaini played hardball with United amid interest from Arsenal and a couple of teams in the Chinese Super League and the Belgian midfielder seems to have won out as the Red Devils finally caved and offered him a deal he was willing to sign with just a few days remaining before his contract expired.
It’s believed that Fellaini will sign a two-year extension to his United deal and Liverpool fans are getting a great kick out of the fact that their rivals have had to fight tooth and nail to keep hold of a player who is largely perceived to be an emergency option from the bench on the same day that Keita has arrived on Merseyside.
Keita agreed to move to Liverpool last summer but remained at RB Leipzig for one more year, when the Bundesliga side’s sixth-placed finish meant that he would ultimately move for £52.75 million.
“Firstly I am somebody that plays in a defensive role and we need to start with that,” Keita told LFC TV. “But then I need to bring the ball forward and help the attack.
“I’ve always got a desire to win – I believe I’m a winner.”
As if Keita’s arrival wasn’t enough to make Liverpool fans’ day, the Fellaini news added an extra sliver of enjoyment.
Liverpool signs Fabinho and Keita and United renews Fellaini's contract…
— Weixun (@Weixunnn) June 27, 2018
Liverpool signing Keita. United begging Fellaini to stay.
The levels to this are staggering.— Trent Alexander stan acc (@Tushaar_Lfc) June 27, 2018
Manchester City are getting Jorginho, Liverpool are gtting Fabinho and Keita, Arsenal are getting Torreira, and Manchester United begging Fellaini to sign a new contract. pic.twitter.com/2eNFEL5mdH
— $am (@LFCSam_) June 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/SugarJPoet/status/1011961593553408001
United trying to get fellaini to sign a new deal whilst we’re out here announcing Keita Up the fucking Reds
— James Hamburger (@jamham8) June 27, 2018
#LFC Steven Gerrard hands our New number 8 his shirt… that's how good he is…..Naby Keita!! Meanwhile #MUFC give Fellaini a lucrative new contract 😂😂😂 levels…
— ⭐⭐⭐Paul⭐⭐⭐ (@gr33nbank) June 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/MrAubameyang/status/1011954099493974017
While Utd announcing Fellaini staying at Old Trafford, Liverpool introduce new no.8, powerful Naby Keita..
Glorious day!!! pic.twitter.com/MEE56c85y0— Piang Shankly (@PiangShankly) June 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/harryward44/status/1011945815043080192
liverpool announcing naby keita today
manchester united announcing marouane fellaini contract extension todaylevels
— theo🐊 (@theowoodruffe) June 27, 2018
