Naby Keita says Sadio Mane sold him on Liverpool move

Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita has revealed the endorsement of Sadio Mane was a factor in his decision to join the club last summer.

Keita agreed to a deal last August to join the Reds at the start of this summer's transfer window after starring in his first season for RB Leipzig. However, it was the friend he made during his time at another Red Bull-branded club, Salzburg, who influenced him to make the leap to Anfield.

"I could see how the club was developing and I spoke at length with Sadio," Keita told the Guardian's Andy Hunter.

"Sadio is like a brother to me. We had nine months together at Salzburg and built up a good rapport. We have been great friends since that time. He told me what a great club this was and how the team was progressing and had great potential."

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Keita and Mane didn't overlap for long in Austria before the latter's move to Southampton in 2014, but it was time enough for the pair to earn a reputation as two future stars of European football.

The Guinea captain will now finally reunite with his Senegalese pal this season on Merseyside, and Reds fans will be hoping their link-up proves even more profitable than the short-lived partnership in Salzburg.