Liverpool man 'hurt' by Klopp snub and 'not thinking about staying' as four clubs show interest
Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita reportedly 'didn't think of staying' at the club beyond the end of this season when his contract expires.
The 27-year-old has struggled extensively with injuries since his £48m move to Liverpool in 2018 from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.
He played 25 times in the Premier League for Jurgen Klopp's side in his debut season, but that's the most league games he's played for the Reds in a single campaign.< /p>
Keita has missed much of this season due to a hamstring injury as he has only managed to feature in the Premier League six times.
Liverpool are weak in midfield and Keita is one of the players expected to leave at the end of this season. With James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, he is out of contract this summer.
Graeme Bailey told TEAMtalk that Keita "seems to be leaving" and explained why his situation is "complicated".
"Liverpool's midfield situation isn't pretty, and that's probably the area that needs the most work. And that starts with those who might be on the verge of leaving the club," Bailey told TEAMtalk.
"James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita are all out of contract. And while all three have played for the past few months, it remains to be seen if any are staying.
"The one leaving seems to be Keita, but his situation is complicated. I understand that he still feels aggrieved by many situations at the club.
"Jurgen Klopp loves him as a player, always has, and ideally I'm told he'd like him to stay. Indeed, at 27, he's arguably reaching his peak, or at least it should be."
Bailey later claimed Keita was 'hurt' by Klopp's decision not to start him in the Champions League final last season.
He adds that RB Leipzig and Lyon are among the clubs interested in signing him on a free transfer.
"Keita also knows that he hasn't quite lived up to his promises since his big-money transfer from RB Leipzig in 2018. However, Keita's decision is based on what happened in the summer last,” Bailey added.
"He was left out of the Champions League final, which hurt him. He had produced brilliant performances ahead of the big clash with Real Madrid and sincerely thought he was going to start that game in Paris .
"But that was followed by a big reason why he now seems to be heading for the exit door. And that is the fact that Liverpool have failed to reward him for his form.
"He produced what he thought was his best form for Liverpool and indeed in his career. But the talks didn't happen and it hurt and concerned him in equal measure.
"Now, despite the increase in playing time in recent weeks, he doesn't really think about staying at Anfield.
"And while you can't rule out a late offer, he already has interest from Inter and AC Milan, Lyon and perhaps interestingly RB Leipzig.
“They brought back Timo Werner last year. And they would love to pair him again with Keita after the two played for the club when they were together.”
READ MORE: Transfer gossip… Liverpool and Man Utd follow Everton defender, Spurs eye ex-England goalkeeper
Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita reportedly 'didn't think of staying' at the club beyond the end of this season when his contract expires.
The 27-year-old has struggled extensively with injuries since his £48m move to Liverpool in 2018 from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.
He played 25 times in the Premier League for Jurgen Klopp's side in his debut season, but that's the most league games he's played for the Reds in a single campaign.< /p>
Keita has missed much of this season due to a hamstring injury as he has only managed to feature in the Premier League six times.
Liverpool are weak in midfield and Keita is one of the players expected to leave at the end of this season. With James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, he is out of contract this summer.
Graeme Bailey told TEAMtalk that Keita "seems to be leaving" and explained why his situation is "complicated".
"Liverpool's midfield situation isn't pretty, and that's probably the area that needs the most work. And that starts with those who might be on the verge of leaving the club," Bailey told TEAMtalk.
"James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita are all out of contract. And while all three have played for the past few months, it remains to be seen if any are staying.
"The one leaving seems to be Keita, but his situation is complicated. I understand that he still feels aggrieved by many situations at the club.
"Jurgen Klopp loves him as a player, always has, and ideally I'm told he'd like him to stay. Indeed, at 27, he's arguably reaching his peak, or at least it should be."
Bailey later claimed Keita was 'hurt' by Klopp's decision not to start him in the Champions League final last season.
He adds that RB Leipzig and Lyon are among the clubs interested in signing him on a free transfer.
"Keita also knows that he hasn't quite lived up to his promises since his big-money transfer from RB Leipzig in 2018. However, Keita's decision is based on what happened in the summer last,” Bailey added.
"He was left out of the Champions League final, which hurt him. He had produced brilliant performances ahead of the big clash with Real Madrid and sincerely thought he was going to start that game in Paris .
"But that was followed by a big reason why he now seems to be heading for the exit door. And that is the fact that Liverpool have failed to reward him for his form.
"He produced what he thought was his best form for Liverpool and indeed in his career. But the talks didn't happen and it hurt and concerned him in equal measure.
"Now, despite the increase in playing time in recent weeks, he doesn't really think about staying at Anfield.
"And while you can't rule out a late offer, he already has interest from Inter and AC Milan, Lyon and perhaps interestingly RB Leipzig.
“They brought back Timo Werner last year. And they would love to pair him again with Keita after the two played for the club when they were together.”
READ MORE: Transfer gossip… Liverpool and Man Utd follow Everton defender, Spurs eye ex-England goalkeeper
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