According to reports in Germany, Naby Keita is “unhappy” at Liverpool and may leave the club, though Merseyside journalists have dismissed the possibility of a move.
The 27-year-old is in his fifth season at Anfield, and despite being a once-record signing, the Guinean has struggled to make an impact as many had hoped. He has made 117 appearances for the club, starting 72 of them, and his highest tally of games was 40 that came in last season.
Injuries have marred Keita’s time at Liverpool, but reports have stated that the club is looking to sign him to a new long-term contract this summer. However, according to Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, the No. 8 is “unhappy with his current situation” and may be unwilling to agree to an extension with the Reds.
The significance of this report is that Plettenberg also broke the news of Bayern Munich’s interest in Sadio Mane earlier this summer, with his source clearly coming from the agency Mane and Keita share.
It’s also worth noting that journalists on Merseyside have moved to put an end to speculation about Keita’s position, just as they did with Mane.
GOAL’s Neil Jones was among those to dismiss reports that Keita could leave this summer, writing hours after Plettenberg’s report that “if Keita is unhappy or disillusioned, that has not been communicated to the club.”
Liverpool have “no intention” of letting their midfielder leave, according to Jones, who revealed interest from former club RB Leipzig, and their plan is “to keep Keita, both this season and beyond.”
“The intention, rather, is to thrash out a new four-year deal with Keita, who retains the full backing of manager Jurgen Klopp and who is viewed, fully fit and at his best, as part of Liverpool’s strongest XI.”
he writes.
Liverpool drew their most recent match against Crystal Palace. The Reds are currently 12th in the table and will face Manchester United on August 23.
