Liverpool give two reasons for £52m Naby Keïta decision as Jürgen Klopp reveals midfield plan

Liverpool give two reasons for £52m Naby Keïta decision as Jürgen Klopp reveals midfield plan

However, there are still a few items on Julian Ward’s summer to-do list, including a few more renewals and a Sadio Mané successor, among other things.

Liverpool has a lot of contract and transfer decisions to make, and Naby Keta isn’t the first one that comes to mind when Mohamed Salah and others are considered significantly more vital.

Liverpool, on the other hand, must make a decision on their £52 million signing. Keta has never lived up to the promise he showed when he arrived from RB Leipzig, but he has remained injury-free and has been an important component of Liverpool’s squad in recent months.

Liverpool FC (photo by Getty images)

Keta’s contract has 12 months left on it, and it’s expected to be renewed this summer. The Guinean has been linked with a move to PSG, among other clubs, but according to The Times, Keta is ‘likely’ to extend his contract at Anfield.

That makes sense for two reasons. Firstly, having invested so much in Keïta when he was signed, Liverpool would not want to lose their asset on a free transfer.

Keïta has looked good over the last few months and while he may only ever be a squad player, he is a valuable midfielder to have to be able to slot into the side.

Liverpool, on the other hand, must make a decision on their £52 million signing. Keta has never lived up to the promise he showed when he arrived from RB Leipzig, but he has remained injury-free and has been an important component of Liverpool’s squad in recent months.

Keta’s contract has 12 months left on it, and it’s expected to be renewed this summer. The Guinean has been linked with a move to PSG, among other clubs, but according to The Times, Keta is ‘likely’ to extend his contract at Anfield.

That brings us to the second reason: the upcoming midfield reshuffle. Milner may continue for another year, but given his age, his future beyond the summer of 2023 is uncertain, whereas Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is available this summer, but even if he stays, he is certain to go in the following year.

With Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcântara both 31, it’s only Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones who can keep Liverpool’s average down.

Keta, who is only 27 years old, falls somewhere between the young and the over-30s. Having someone in the middle while the transition from one group to the next takes place over the next year or two will be critical.

Regardless of who Liverpool signs in the center of the pitch next season and Jude Bellingham seems like a good bet at this point  they will help reduce the age gap once more, but even in terms of numbers, the Reds would be reluctant to lose Keta.

They are well-stocked as it is, but if Oxlade-Chamberlain and then Milner leave next summer, more than one addition as a fringe player would be required – a job that Keta is more than capable of filling.

It wouldn’t make much sense to lose Keta for no reason. However, losing him at this point would seem to be a needless addition to the to-do list. The sole exception, as with almost every player, would be if a massive cash offer came through.

In other news, “More than happy to join” – £8m Liverpool transfer target sends messsge to the reds as Fabrizio Romano confirms deal almost done