Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita has endured a rather inauspicious Anfield career to date since arriving from RB Leipzig in 2018.
Having agreed to make the £48million (BBC) switch a year before turning up on Merseyside, the expectation around the Guinean was tantermount among Kopites.
What has followed has been rather underwhelming as Keita’s game-time has been constantly curtailed by injuries and fitness issues.
After a rather damning first-half substitution last week having been afforded a rare start against Real Madrid, former Premier League Golden Boot hero Kevin Phillips has told Football Insider that Liverpool could cash in this summer should offers be forthcoming.
If a substantial offer comes in I think Liverpool would seriously consider it. It just hasn’t worked out for Keita so far. He has had a lot of problems with injury and his form has been up and down. He has been too inconsistent for me. When you play for Liverpool, you need to be consistently good and he has not done that. If the right offer came in I think they would be tempted to sell and cut their losses. It would be a big decision to make but I think they would accept a substantial offer this summer.
The 26-year-old has shown glimpses of his ability during his time with the Reds and was once hailed as ‘world class’ by Virgil van Dijk.
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Whilst few can question a fit and firing Keita’s quality, it simply hasn’t been seen anywhere close to enough – making just 76 appearances in all competitions in almost three full seasons.
Should reasonable offers be made this summer Liverpool could feasibly cash in and look to strengthen their ranks accordingly.
Jurgen Klopp could well be in the market for two central midfielders were that to be the case as Gini Wijnaldum’s future at the club looks increasingly uncertain.
