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Liverpool: Summer free agent Naby Keita could return to former club

By Evan Curnew

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 14: Naby Keita of Liverpool poses with the trophy following his sides victory in a penalty shootout during The FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on May 14, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 14: Naby Keita of Liverpool poses with the trophy following his sides victory in a penalty shootout during The FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on May 14, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images) /
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Guinean international Naby Keita could be set to end a 5-year stay at Liverpool with his current contract expiring this summer

According to the German paper BILD (paywall), Liverpool’s manager Jurgen Klopp ensured that Naby Keita would not leave during the January transfer window amid interest from RB Leipzig. The Bundesliga side is expected to re-ignite their interest in Keita should he not extend his contract at Liverpool.

Liverpool reportedly paid just under £53M for Naby Keita in the summer of 2018 from RB Leipzig in a summer transfer window that also saw the Reds bring in goalkeeper Alisson and defensive midfielder Fabinho.

Naby Keita is part of a group of players who have gone through the RB Salzburg to RB Leipzig pipeline, which has recently been a major focus for the Red Bull football philosophy.

Generally speaking, there seems to be a split on the opinions of Naby Keita among Liverpool supporters with some desperately wanting the player to be re-signed while others seem to be completely okay with the midfielder leaving in the summer. What cannot be denied is how impressive Liverpool performs when Naby Keita plays. In fact, after filtering out the low-game outliers, Naby Keita has one of the best win percentages in Premier League history.

During his tenure at Anfield, Keita has won a whole host of trophies with the club including winning the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League title in 2020. Last season, Keita started in the FA Cup final and the EFL Cup final, with Liverpool winning both.

Naby Keita leaving Liverpool could add to the club’s midfield distress

It’s been no secret that Liverpool has underperformed this season. There are two other midfielders along with Naby Keita whose contracts expire this summer. Veteran James Milner and Alexander Oxlade-Chamberlain. Milner’s time as a professional footballer is surely coming to an end at age 37 whilst it is probably best for Oxlade-Chamberlain to move to greener pastures. Captain Jordan Henderson has also fallen under increased scrutiny for his performances in recent seasons which has caused Liverpool’s midfield to become a serious weak spot.

Liverpool is likely to push for Jude Bellingham this summer but it remains to be seen where he will ultimately land at the moment. Should Keita leave the club, there will be even more speculation that Liverpool plans on overhauling their midfield this summer.

Is Naby Keita re-signing with Liverpool a priority for the club?

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