Liverpool make Keita transfer stance clear as Klopp plans to keep midfielder amid RB Leipzig interest

Liverpool have no intention of letting Naby Keita leave before the transfer window closes, GOAL understands, and are continuing talks with the midfielder over a new contract.

The Guinea international has entered the final 12 months of his current deal at Anfield, and as yet negotiations over an extension have yet to bring about a resolution.

Reports in Germany have suggested the 27-year-old is unhappy with the situation, but GOAL understands that despite interest from a number of European clubs, including RB Leipzig, Liverpool’s plan is to keep Keita, both this season and beyond.

Keita joined the Reds from Leipzig in a £52 million ($63m) deal in 2018, and has since made 117 appearances, scoring 11 goals.

But he is yet to consistently hold down a regular starting spot, with injuries often hindering his ability to build up a rhythm. And while others - notably Mohamed Salah, Joe Gomez and Harvey Elliott - have been handed new contracts this summer, Keita’s future remains unresolved.

GOAL, though, understands that talks between Liverpool and the player’s representative, Bjorn Bezemer, are ongoing. There were face-to-face discussions earlier this month in Mallorca, and the relationship between the parties is strong.

If Keita is unhappy or disillusioned, then that has not been communicated to the club, and there is little chance that they would sanction a sale at this stage anyway, given the injury crisis which has overshadowed their start to the new Premier League season.

The intention, rather, is to thrash out a new four-year deal with Keita, who retains the full backing of manager Jurgen Klopp and who is viewed, fully fit and at his best, as part of Liverpool’s strongest XI.

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