Gabby Agbonlahor has stated that Naby Keita isn’t good enough for Liverpool and claimed that he ‘doesn’t want to take a pay cut’ at the club.
The 23-year-old is out-of-contract in less than 12 months, but Agbonlahor suggested that Liverpool want to ‘keep’ the £48 million star (BBC Sport) ahead of his possible exit for nothing next summer.
Jurgen Klopp isn’t someone who likes to sell his players, in fact, if many of them leave, it’s when he reluctantly allows them to go, like Sadio Mane, other than that, it’s free transfers, like Divock Origi, Adam Lallana and possibly at the end of the season Kieta and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Nonetheless, Cody Gakpo is through the doors and he is the club’s first January capture, with some shocked at the transfer fee that has been paid for the Dutch international.
But it’s the midfield that needs the biggest makeover, and whilst those at Anfield might have to wait until the summer for Jude Bellingham, it was pointed out by Agbonlahor who probably needs to leave.
“Who is there (for midfield) to go and get,” asked Agbonlahor. “Jude Bellingham, everyone is probably looking at him and thinking ‘right, let’s wait until the summer’. He is probably thinking he wants to wait until the summer as well.
“They need a midfielder. Keita isn’t good enough for me. I think he doesn’t want to take a pay cut. Liverpool want to keep him. But he doesn’t want a pay cut.”
MIDFIELD MAKEOVER
The Gakpo transfer is a positive sign for Liverpool supporters because it proves that FSG are still willing to put their hands in their pocket, despite wanting to sell up.
In 12 months, FSG might not be the owners of the club, nor will transfer guru Julian Ward be running proceedings in the market.
But could one last present be put on the table and that come in the form of Jude Bellingham because a player of his ilk is badly needed?
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