Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita's future remains in doubt, with talks over a new deal currently at a standstill, according to journalist Florian Plettenberg.

The Lowdown: Keita reportedly unhappy

The Reds face Manchester United in a huge Premier League game on Monday night, and one player who will hope to feature at Old Trafford is Keita, having opened the scoring in the 5-0 rout in this fixture last season.

The Guinean is reportedly unhappy with his lack of playing time recently, though, and while Jurgen Klopp wants him to stay at Anfield, it has been suggested that the 27-year-old could move on this summer.

Keita's current contract expires in 2023, at which point he would be able to leave Liverpool on a free transfer, having signed for £52.75m four years ago.

The Latest: Keita contract latest

Taking to Twitter on Sunday, Sky journalist Plettenberg claimed that the 27-year-old's potential involvement against United could prove crucial to his future, with no progress being made over a new deal as of yet.

He outlined:

"Update #Keita: Very important game against @ManUtd regarding his plans in this transfer window. Nothing has changed. #LFC 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."

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The Verdict: Don't sell him

Unless Liverpool have a tailor-made replacement lined up, it makes absolutely no sense to sell Keita this summer, especially with Thiago currently out injured and midfield a general area of concern.

The 27-year-old remains an impressive footballer when fully fit and in form - Virgil van Dijk has called him 'world-class' in the past - and he is someone who will hopefully end up extending his stay.

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Only Kostas Tsimikas won more tackles per game than Keita at Anfield last season, while Fabinho was the only midfielder to outscore him, so the African can be an important figure in terms of breaking up the play and making an impact in the final third.

Granted, the Guinean has underwhelmed at times, mainly due to injuries. However, unlike youngsters Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones, and elder statesmen Jordan Henderson and James Milner, he is at a peak age footballing age, and a start at Old Trafford tonight could ease the whole situation.