Liverpool no longer want Naby Keïta because of his injuries
It is a sad end to Naby Keïta's time at Liverpool. The Guinea international, injured again, could soon be packing his bags.
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When he joined Liverpool for the 2018-2019 season, Naby Keïta was expected to bring energy, a direct style of play and real impact in the middle of the park for the Reds. But the Guinea captain has never managed to keep pace with the relentless demands of the Premier League. Hampered by one injury after another, Naby Keïta has yet to reach 150 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool in five seasons. For now, he is stuck on 129 games. That is too few in the eyes of Liverpool's decision-makers, who are considering offloading a player with brittle legs who spends more time in the treatment room than on English pitches.
Injured again with Guinea during the March international break, Naby Keïta has already missed the match against Manchester City (a 4-1 defeat) last weekend. He could also miss the game against Chelsea. It is one injury too many, and it has finally exhausted the club's patience.
"This latest setback could be the straw that breaks the camel's back for the club"
Already tipped to leave next summer, the player's employers are now convinced after this latest relapse, according to the Liverpool Echo. "Keita was injured during Guinea's qualifier for the AFCON 2023 against Ethiopia. He was substituted at half-time and has not trained with the Liverpool first team since," explains the newspaper, which follows the Liverpool clubs closely. "It is another blow for the player, who has already endured difficult spells at Liverpool caused by injuries. He (Keïta) has struggled to stay fit for long periods," the Liverpool Echo continues.
The English tabloid is blunt in its verdict. "This latest setback could be the final straw for the club. And it is likely that the player has already played his last game for Liverpool. Liverpool need players who can stay fit and contribute consistently to the team. It is regrettable that Keita's time at Liverpool has not gone as planned. The club must move on," the outlet writes.
Naby Keïta, who is in the final year of his contract, will therefore leave the club as a free agent next June.
Jim CEESAY