Liverpool given hope as Klopp plots early arrival of Naby Keita

Liverpool will ‘almost certainly’ ask RB Leipzig if they can bring Naby Keita to the club in January, according to reports.
The Reds spent a large chunk of the summer chasing a deal for the Guinean midfielder – and eventually struck a deal, whereby Keita would move to Anfield on 1 July 2018, thanks to a release clause in the player’s contract.
However, amid suggestions Jurgen Klopp’s side could look to bring Keita to the club earlier than expected, the Liverpool Echo now claim this is almost certainly set to happen.
While Keita vowed to continue giving his all to Leipzig ahead of his move to Anfield, the player has been beset by a number of problems this season.
He was sent off for a Sadio Mane style high tackle during a Bundesliga match – and was then slammed by RB Leipzig boss Ralph Hasenhuttl for his performance during the Champions League defeat to Besiktas.
Hasenhuttl has even suggested the player could be dropped after questioning his attitude.
“Naby was not good today, maybe it would have been better not to have taken him,” he said.
“For me, as a coach, it is important to see who I can rely on at such moments, which players stand up and who is ready to fight against what is going on on the field.”
And the Echo believes Liverpool will look to cash in on their differences by seeing whether Leipzig would be open to letting Keita move in January.
Although the player would be cup-tied in the Champions League, should the Reds still be involved after the turn of the year, the opportunity to have the player available for domestic matches would provide Klopp with a timely boost.