---
title: "Liverpool: Naby Keita’s future remains in doubt"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/liverpool-premier-league-naby-keita-transfer-news-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2022-08-22T11:10:45Z"
modified: "2022-08-22T11:10:45Z"
---

# Liverpool: Naby Keita’s future remains in doubt

**[Liverpool](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/liverpool-fc-news/) 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](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) game on Monday night, and one player who will hope to feature at Old Trafford is Keita, having [opened the scoring](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjF98Ce-dn5AhVklFwKHaaCCXoQFnoECCMQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2F58943625&usg=AOvVaw2jZPw-3QxsTH45RTU5Kvv7) in the 5-0 rout in this fixture last season.

The Guinean is reportedly [unhappy](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/naby-keita-liverpool-transfer-breaking-24785643) 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](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/naby-keita/profil/spieler/302215) in 2023, at which point he would be able to leave Liverpool on a free transfer, having signed for [£52.75m](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjHsoK6-dn5AhVXS0EAHa01CKkQFnoECB4QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.skysports.com%2Ffootball%2Fnews%2F11669%2F11372091%2Fnaby-keitas-liverpool-cost-finalised-after-rb-leipzig-finish-sixth&usg=AOvVaw3Ju-WZb-7thH866etkiDe8) four years ago.

### The Latest: Keita contract latest

Taking to [Twitter](https://twitter.com/Plettigoal/status/1561296603868184576?s=20&t=gz4gwQApEqreaQOjJIYQ4g) 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.”

\[freshpress-quiz id=“398089″\]

### 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](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-liverpool/sperrenundverletzungen/verein/31) and midfield a [general area of concern](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjrtL_n-dn5AhWLQEEAHWblAYoQFnoECBgQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.caughtoffside.com%2F2022%2F08%2F07%2Fliverpool-transfer-news-midfield-signing-urged-by-fans%2F&usg=AOvVaw1BlISy7oddsWCGBYT1KgFz).

The 27-year-old remains an impressive footballer when fully fit and in form – Virgil van Dijk has [called](https://anfieldindex.com/45809/reds-defender-heaps-praise-on-world-class-naby-keita.html) him ‘world-class’ in the past – and he is someone who will hopefully end up extending his stay.

\[freshpress-poll id=“399042″\]

Only Kostas Tsimikas [won more tackles per game](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/26/Archive/England-Liverpool) than Keita at Anfield last season, while Fabinho was the [only midfielder to outscore him](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/26/Archive/England-Liverpool), 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](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjz_6HW-tn5AhUBlFwKHfqbAR8QFnoECAgQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fsoccer%2Fliverpool%2Fopinions%2Fopinion-why-naby-keita-swap-deal-would-be-the-right-move-for-liverpool&usg=AOvVaw3g3A0xwdan9qw1LFBm9qb4) at times, mainly due to [injuries](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/naby-keita/verletzungen/spieler/302215). 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.