Liverpool are unlikely to sell Naby Keita in the summer, according to The Athletic‘s James Pearce.
The Guinean is yet to match the hype that surrounded his arrival at Anfield back in 2018 – he is one of Jurgen Klopp’s most high-profile, highly-rated signings – with injuries often holding him back.
Keita has managed just 71 appearances for the Reds despite being there for two-and-a-half-years, highlighting his struggles.
Speaking on The Red Agenda podcast [via ThisIsFutbol], however, Pearce played down the likelihood of the 25-year-old exiting Liverpool in the summer, due to the financial loss the club could make:
A number of people say to me, ‘they need to just get rid of Keita, forget it, it’s not going to happen for him.’
But, that’s easier said than done because how much of a financial hit are you going to take then, because, he’s the one major signing of Klopp’s reign, that arguably isn’t worth now anywhere near what Liverpool actually paid for him.
I think you’d be lucky to get half that if you were trying to cash in your chips.
Read Liverpool Verdict
There is no doubt that Keita has been a little underwhelming at Anfield, both in terms of injuries and form, but he still has plenty to offer.
If he can just stay fit, he is a hugely effective midfielder both on and off the ball, averaging an 89.9 percent pass completion rate in the Premier League this season and averaging 1.1 tackles and interceptions apiece.
Keita also has the highest points per game average (2.59) for Liverpool since 2018, as per Simon Brundish (@SimonBrundish) on Twitter, showing how influential he is when he starts.
If he continues to be injury-plagued next season, Klopp may have to cut his losses.
