Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

Naby Keita has taken to social media to dispute claims from Werder Bremen sporting director, Clemens Fritz, that he refused to play against Bayer Leverkusen at the weekend.

The former Liverpool midfielder, 29, has been restricted to just five appearances in his maiden season for Bremen due to injuries and was not in Sunday's squad for the thumping 5-0 defeat at Leverkusen, who clinched their first ever Bundesliga title at the BayArena.

But Keita has refuted those allegations and insisted he will not allow anyone to "tarnish his image".

In a statement shared on his Instagram story, the Guinea international wrote: "I wish to clarify my situation at my club Werder Bremen.

Go Werder!"

Keita's turbulent first year at Werder Bremen is the latest disappointment for the midfielder, who failed to live up to expectations during his five years at Liverpool after joining the club from RB Leipzig in a £59million transfer in 2018.

Join the debate?

What did you make of Keita during his time at Liverpool(

Injuries have hampered Keita again since his exit from Liverpool in the summer.

Injuries prevented Keita from replicating his imperious Bundesliga form in the Premier League and he made just 95 appearances in total for the Reds, although he did win both the league and the Champions League during his time at Anfield.

Keita, who was snapped up by Bremen shortly after becoming a free agent in the summer, was warned by head coach Ole Werner that his actions would face consequences following Sunday's match against Leverkusen.

"It annoys me and it will have consequences," he told DAZN.