27-year-old Liverpool star set to leave Anfield - Reports
Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita is reportedly set to leave the club in the summer. The Guinean's contract expires at the end of the season, and he seems to be heading out of Anfield.
Keita joined Jurgen Klopp's side from RB Leipzig in 2018 for €60 million but has failed to make a significant impact. A lack of form and injuries have hindered his spell in Merseyside. He has featured just seven times this season across competitions due to a hamstring injury.
According to Sky Germany, the 27-year-old will leave Liverpool when his contract expires in the summer. A return to the Bundesliga has been touted for the former Leipzig man. BILD reported in September that Borussia Dortmund were tracking the Guinean.
The opportunity to sign the Reds midfielder as a free agent is an attractive proposition. He boasts proven Premier League and UEFA Champions League experience, making 123 appearances with Klopp's side, scoring 11 goals and contributing seven assists.
He has won the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup during his time at Anfield. The midfielder was linked with a departure last summer, but Klopp played that down at the time. The German said (via the Liverpool Echo):
"Do we sell Naby now and not replace him? No, that is not possible," Klopp said. "Of course not. But it is not the plan. We are done, so we don't think that a player can go, and we don’t replace him."
He added:
"No, there's no chance. Naby will not go, but if he would, which he will not do, there must be a replacement, of course. It's clear."
A replacement may be in sight with Klopp's side long-term admirers of Dortmund teenager Jude Bellingham.
Reports claim that the Liverpool manager will be handed a £200-250 million war chest for the summer. The English midfielder is a top target, but the Reds face competition from Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Liverpool's Luis Diaz updates on his injury
Diaz has been out of action since October after sustaining his second knee injury of the season. The Colombian winger is stepping up his fitness return but is expected to spend another two months on the sidelines.
His absence from the Liverpool squad has been felt, with the Reds sitting a lowly ninth place in the standings. They suffered a shock 3-0 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday (January 14).
However, Diaz has somewhat brightened the mood at Anfield by posting a video of himself working out on Instagram:
Diaz has scored four goals and provided three assists in 12 appearances this season. He joined the Reds in January 2022 for £37 million from FC Porto.