Reports emerged in recent weeks that 27-year-old Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita wanted to leave the club, due to lack of game time.
Keita currently has one year left on his Liverpool contract and the club has been trying to agree with the midfielder’s representatives on a solution to his future.
Now whether Keita should extend his stay or leave the club is up for debate for fans of the Reds, the midfielder has failed to hit the heights that were expected of him since joining from RB Leipzig.
Nevertheless, speaking to Liverpool’s official club website, Jurgen Klopp stated the club would have a replacement for Keita should he leave the club this summer or next.
Klopp: “New midfielder? If the right player is not available in this moment we tend to deal with what we have. It would be cool to have new midfielder in, of course”. 🚨🔴 #LFC
“Naby Keita will not go but if he would – he won't – there must be a replacement”. pic.twitter.com/UoqjsYI3Tj
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 21, 2022
“And not replace him? No, that’s not possible, of course not. But it’s not the plan. We are not dumb that we think a player can go and we don’t replace him. No, there’s no chance. So, Naby will not go but if he would – what he will not do – there must be a replacement, of course.” Said the Liverpool boss.
So it seems Klopp believes Keita will stay at the club despite reports, however, Liverpool’s midfield still seems to be lacking and the club’s injury list isn’t helping this.
The boss was asked about the situation in the Reds Engine room and reiterated his thoughts that he is more than comfortable with the options he has.
“Yes [I am happy], when they are all fit, 100 per cent. But even then we always look to strengthen, we have to and we always did. It must be the right player and if the right player is not available at this moment then we tend to say, ‘OK, then we deal with what we have before we sign a player who is not 100 per cent right.’ This situation never changed.”
The summer transfer window will shut on September 1st; time is running out if Liverpool want to make any more signings before January.