Rodgers pondering raid on Liverpool for one of Klopp’s biggest signings

Naby Keita, Xherdan Shaqiri, Sadio Mane, Joel Matip Liverpool June 2019

Leicester are monitoring Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita’s situation ahead of the summer transfer window, a report has claimed.

Keita became the Reds’ third most expensive addition when he joined in the summer of 2018. The Guinean signed in 2017, but despite impressing with RB Leipzig before his move, he has failed to recreate his top form. Indeed, a host of injury problems have meant that the midfielder has remained a peripheral figure at Anfield.

In fact, 20-year-old Liverpudlian Curtis Jones has proved more crucial to manager Jurgen Klopp this term.

What’s more, with all players fit, the likes of Thiago Alcantara, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson are all ahead of Keita in the pecking order.

As such, Football Insider reports that Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers is sensing a potential transfer opportunity.

There is no indication from Liverpool for now that they will sell Keita. However, should the Guinea international become available, Rodgers is ‘keeping tabs’ and will be ready to swoop.

The report adds that ex-Liverpool boss Rodgers admires Keita’s ‘energy and quality’ on the ball.

Sadio Mane, Naby Keita, Liverpool training

He earned his reputation at Leipzig for being a fantastic counter-presser. Thus, Klopp brought him to Liverpool in the hope that he could become a key figure at the club.

However, nine games is his longest run without injury at the club since he arrived.

That spell came after the coronavirus lockdown last season, but even then he did not complete a 90-minute stint.

Liverpool drop Keita value amid struggles

Ozan Kabak, Naby Keita, Jurgen Klopp, Fabinho

Keita would have hoped to forge a greater say in proceedings this term; Henderson, Thiago, James Milner and Fabinho have all suffered injury.

However, he has failed to escape his own fitness problems again this term and, coupled with Jones’ emergence, Keita has struggled to make an impact.

Therefore, Football Insider adds that Liverpool now value him at £30million ahead of the summer window.

Klopp: Keita hurt hamstring, couldn't continue

Klopp: Keita hurt hamstring, couldn't continue

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp talks about the injuries to Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri.

Keita’s next-best total of successive games is eight games, that run coming at the start of his first season on Merseyside.

Speaking in January, when the midfielder had a muscle problem, Klopp stressed the need to let the issue settle “properly” before returning him to the fold.

As such, he only made his comeback at the end of February.

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