Two Liverpool stars set for new contract offers despite lack of game time

Liverpool are in talks with Naby Keita over a new contract, while they hope Joe Gomez will also sign a new deal with the club.

Neither man was a regular in the starting XI last season, with Keita making 14 Premier League starts and Gomez just four in the top flight.

The midfielder did make 40 appearances across all competitions, though, while the England international made 21, falling down the pecking order after the arrival of Ibrahima Konate.

Despite being on the fringes of the first team, Liverpool clearly feel both players have important roles to play at the club, with new contracts planned.

The Athletic report that talks are ongoing with Keita, with his current deal set to expire next year. Jurgen Klopp remains a fan of the midfielder, and with no new arrivals in central midfield this summer, he will have a part to play in the coming season.

The report does not suggest that negotiations have begun with Gomez yet, but there is less pressure to get a deal done as his current contract runs until 2024.

Gomez is keen to play more regularly, having made just 10 Premier League starts over the last two seasons, but the Reds want to keep hold of the 25-year-old.

The former Charlton man is primarily a centre-back but is more than capable of filling in at right-back and even on the left side of defence.

The Athletic’s report state that if a big offer came in for Gomez then an exit is not impossible, but it would have to be a very substantial fee.

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