Former Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita has been suspended by Werder Bremen for the rest of the season after refusing to travel with his team ahead of their trip to Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday.

The Guinea international was told he would not be selected in the starting XI at the BayArena and decided to go home in response. Leverkusen won 5-0 and were crowned Bundesliga champions for the first time in their history.

Keita - who left Liverpool last summer - has meanwhile been banned from playing again this campaign and will not take part in first-team activities for the foreseeable future, having also been handed a 'significant' fine.

“Naby’s behavior cannot be tolerated for us as a club,” said Werder Bremen chief Clemens Fritz in a statement on Tuesday. “With this action, he let his team down in a tense sporting and personnel situation and placed himself above the team.

“We can't allow that. At this stage of the season we need full focus on the remaining games and a team that is very close together. There was therefore no alternative to our measures.”

Keita - who has only played five times this season amid spates of injury and sickness absences - had shared a statement on his Instagram story, accusing club staff of trying to damage his reputation.

He said: "I wish to clarify my situation at my club Werder Bremen. Ever since I arrived at this magnificent club, I have always shown my professionalism. I have always tried to help the club and the great supporters, especially during this time of poor results.

“Since the start of my career I have never had problems with my discipline and have always shown an exemplary attitude. I will not accept any person trying to tarnish my image."

Keita has played just 106 minutes this season and has started just one match all season as Bremen sit five points above the relegation zone with five matches to go. He played 176 minutes across four games for Guinea at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The 29-year-old signed a three-year deal with the German club after arriving for free upon the end of his contract at Liverpool.

He registered 129 appearances, 11 goals and seven assists across five years at Anfield following his £52.75m move from RB Leipzig in 2018. Keita left with a Champions League winners' medal, a Premier League title, an FA Cup and a League Cup.