Midfielder ‘finished’ at Liverpool and has ‘played last game for Klopp’

Naby Keita, Matt Richie, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Liverpool v Newcastle

Naby Keita will unlikely pull on the red shirt of Liverpool again and may have already played his last game for the club, according to one pundit.

Few of Jurgen Klopp‘s Anfield signings have proved disappointing, but the midfielder is one of them. The Guinea international has endured several injury problems and subsequently struggled to make an impact. Midfield may be the toughest area at Liverpool to find minutes, but Klopp would have hoped to see Keita impress more.

The 26-year-old has only made 10 Premier League appearances this season and 16 in all competitions.

As a result, reports suggest that Liverpool are willing to listen to offers for their once-club-record signing. What’s more, they are supposedly willing to accept a loss on the £52million investment.

Indeed, reports claim Keita has emerged as a surprise target for Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone.

Leicester have also reportedly expressed an interest in Keita, although they look more likely to sign Boubakary Soumare.

As confirmed by Liverpool’s website, Keita has an unspecified injury. As such, the Guinean was missing from their matchday squad to tackle Manchester United on Thursday evening.

And with the season due to end in 10 days, it’s not known whether Keita will be fit to play a part for Liverpool in the run-in.

But when asked if he would pull on a Liverpool shirt again, Kevin Campbell detailed why he thinks the player is finished.

“To be honest with you, I think he might have [played his last game],” Campbell told Football Insider.

“I think that is a bit of business Liverpool would be happy to do in the summer.

Keita hoping to become Klopp's favourite at Liverpool

Keita hoping to become Klopp's favourite at Liverpool

Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita joked that he would need to topple Sadio Mane and Mo Salah if he wants to become Jurgen Klopp's "favourite" in the squad.

“There is no point in having players who cannot stay fit. Believe you me, your best trait is to be available. You can be the best player in the world but if you are never available…

“If you cannot be available for the majority of the games in a season, you are not fulfilling your obligations.

“I think Liverpool will look to move him on in the summer, it just hasn’t worked out for him.”


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Liverpool told to sell Keita

Ozan Kabak, Naby Keita, Jurgen Klopp, Fabinho

Meanwhile, pundit Noel Whelan believes that now is the best time for Liverpool to cash in and part ways with Keita.

He said: “When you’ve had a player that you’ve paid a lot of money for but not had the benefits of them through injury or whatever reason, then you’re better trying to offload the player now.

“He’s been a bigger player this season compared to previous years. You’ve got to take a hit, take a loss, there’s no doubt about that.”

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