Jurgen Klopp believes that Naby Keita is in his strongest Liverpool XI when the midfielder is fully fit.
That’s according to Goal, who claim that Keita retains the ‘full backing’ of Klopp, despite reports that the player wants to leave Liverpool.
Goal claim that Liverpool have ‘no intention’ of letting the Guinean leave during this transfer window. Instead, The Reds are still hoping to agree a new four-year contract extension with their no.8.
Talks to that effect are said to be ‘on-going,’ with the relationship with Keita and his agent claimed to be ‘strong.’
Keita still in Liverpool’s plans
Reports that Keita is unhappy at Liverpool started to circulate last night. Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg claimed on Twitter that the 27-year-old is ‘unhappy’ with his situation at Anfield and wants to leave.
Should Liverpool be put in a position where they have to let Keita go in this window, it would certainly put the cat amongst the pigeons.
Thankfully, that looks unlikely to happen. Liverpool simply can’t afford to lose any more of their midfield options. To allow one of their best to walk out the door with little time to source a replacement would be lunacy.
And Keita is one of their best. Although his critics do have good reason to bash his fitness record, he has improved in that regard. 40 games last season was his best in a Liverpool shirt and he started in both Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals. Still, it should be pointed out that he still started just 14 Premier League games.
This season has started frustratingly. Illness has got in the way of a Premier League appearance for Keita. But now back in training, he’ll be in contention to start against Manchester United on Monday.
He hasn’t always been in Klopp’s midfield over the last four years. But he hasn’t always been fit enough to be. Whenever Naby gets a good run of games together, Liverpool usually look better for it.
Some would argue that the Guinea captain doesn’t warrant a new contract. Klopp still clearly rates him very highly though, and that’s good enough for us. Should he sign the new deal being proposed, his best days at Liverpool could still be ahead of him.
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