In a recent report, The Daily Mail offered an update on the future of Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita as the Reds have no intention of allowing him to leave this summer despite the player’s current contract set to expire next summer. It is understood that the Merseyside club are willing to risk losing him on a free transfer at the end of this campaign.
Keita’s Recent Form At Merseyside
Keita had an up and down campaign at Anfield recently as he struggled to be consistent with his performances at the centre of the park but still managed to win both domestic cups with Liverpool earlier this summer.
The 27-year-old scored four goals and earned three assists in 40 matches for the Reds last season on all fronts. Keita deserves some credit for averaging 2.0 tackles, 0.6 interceptions, 1.1 shots, 0.7 key passes and 0.7 dribbles per game in the Premier League. He was even accurate when distributing possession from midfield after completing 86% of his attempted passes in league football (stats via whoscored).
What Should Be Liverpool Boss Jurgen Klopp’s Play With Regards To Keita’s Future?
Keita loves a tackle at the centre of the park and can make a few timely interceptions for his team. He can strike the ball well from long range and can create some decent plays for others around him. The Guinea international can even make a handful of clever runs with the ball towards the opponent’s penalty box. Keita is primarily a box-to-box midfielder but can even function as an attacking midfielder if his manager asks him to do so. However, he has to find a way to be more clinical on the attacking end of the field.
At the moment, Keita finds himself on the outskirts of Liverpool‘s first XI. He has often fallen behind Thiago Alcantara, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Harvey Elliott in Jurgen Klopp‘s pecking order. With just a year left to run in his contract at Anfield, this season could be Keita’s last chance to prove his worth in English football.
The Reds have currently got a lot of key players sidelined due to injury. Hence, Klopp simply cannot afford to let Keita leave during this summer transfer window. If the player goes on to have a good season, Liverpool could then decide to extend his deal. However, right now, it seems like the Guinea sensation is living on borrowed time at the Merseyside club.
