Jurgen Klopp blocked a return to Bundesliga challengers RB Leipzig for Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita during the transfer window, according to BILD, despite the fact that his contract at the Premier League giants expires in the summer.
Another season. Another frustrating, injury-hit season.
If Keita had any hopes to earn himself a shiny new contract at Anfield, then he could have done without a return of the niggling muscle problems that have dogged his underwhelming Liverpool career. Keita has started just four games in all competitions. Just two in the Premier League.
But, with Klopp’s engine already running on fumes, you can understand why the former Borussia Dortmund boss stood in the way of Keita’s potential return to the Bundesliga.
RB Leipzig could bring back Naby Keita from Liverpool
RB Leipzig, where Keita played the best football of his career until that £52 million move to Merseyside, came calling late in the winter window. Klopp ‘vetoed’ the transfer on deadline day, however, presumably due to serious concerns over his other midfield options.
That 18-year-old Stefan Bajcetic appears to be one of the first names on Klopp’s team sheet, at present, is testament as much to his team-mates lack of form as it is his own maturity and poise.
Keita’s contract expires in July. TEAMtalk believe that, even if the Guinea international was offered an extension, he is unlikely to accept as things stand. In addition to Leipzig, Inter Milan, Lyon and an AC Milan side mired in a dismal run of form are already showing an interest.
‘You need to strengthen’
Liverpool legend Graeme Souness, meanwhile, will not be shedding many tears when the time comes for Keita to say his goodbyes, pointing out that Klopp’s midfield is long overdue a rebuild.
“One (area) where I think they’ve made a mistake is the midfield,” Souness tells talkSPORT. “It is screaming out for strengthening. You’ve got Thiago Alcantara, 31, Jordan Henderson, 32, (James) Milner, (nearly) 37. Keita, for me, isn’t good enough.
“I think that’s a fairly obvious area where you need to strengthen.”
2001 UEFA Cup winner Danny Murphy, meanwhile, feels that Keita is not the only one heading out the door.
“I think there’s a rebuild needed,” Murphy says. “And by that I mean players out the door and a few more in. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is out of contract, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Naby Keita go.
“I’m not sure James Milner is going to stay for another year. If he does, he won’t be playing much. That’s three midfielders (leaving).
“The midfield needs freshening up.”
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