Liverpool vs Manchester United is ‘very important’ for Naby Keita’s future, suggests one journalist. The Guinean is out of contract in 2023.
This comes from Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg. He believes that Liverpool’s trip to Manchester United could alter how Naby Keita handles this transfer window.
“Update [on] Keita,” he wrote on Twitter. “Very important game against Man United regarding his plans in this transfer window.
“Nothing has changed. Liverpool wants to extend, Klopp wants him to stay. But talks have stopped, an agreement is not in sight at this stage. He wants to play regularly.”
Naby Keita’s future
We wrote earlier today that this would be a big one for Keita. The Guinean should be the next in line for a starting place with Thiago out – but it’s not guaranteed. Harvey Elliott is in good form and Jurgen Klopp may opt for the youngster again.
And that explains the problem. Keita’s contract expires at the end of the season, making these the final few weeks in which Liverpool can get a fee for him. Unless, of course, he signs a new contract.
But his place in the squad clearly isn’t what he wants. Keita has the ability of a first-XI player for nearly any team in the world. Liverpool, however, isn’t one of those. His form and fitness have been too erratic over the last few years – one of the reasons Jamie Carragher says he’s the ‘strangest player’ he’s seen.
Liverpool don’t quite trust Keita to be a regular starter, it seems, even if he wants that. But the game at Old Trafford could see him make a statement. He was magnificent there last season, after all, and a similar performance would thrust the player right into the role he wants – at least while Thiago is out.
And that will be why Keita will hesitate on any contract offer. If Thiago is inevitably replacing him, he’s not going to get what he wants with a new contract. Great performance at Old Trafford or not.
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