The future of Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita appears to be uncertain after a report claimed that talks over a new contract have been shelved.
The Guinea international joined the Reds in 2018 from RB Leipzig in deal worth £52.75million, but after five years on Merseyside he is still yet to cement a regular starting place in Jurgen Klopp's side, making 117 appearances in four seasons, scoring 11 goals. The 27-year-old's progress has been hampered along the way by a series of injuries, but was still expected to sign a new contract that would extend is stay at Anfield.
However, Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenburg has reported that talks over a new deal have stopped and the player's future is now up for further discussion, regardless of there being absentees currently in Liverpool's midfield.
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On Wednesday evening, Plettenburg Tweeted: "Excl. News Naby #Keita : He is unhappy with his current situation in Liverpool. There were talks about a contract extension but they have stopped now. His departure is possible regardless of Thiago and Oxlade-Chamberlain. But early stage. Talks will take place."
Liverpool are currently without the services of injured midfielders Thiago and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Keita missed the Reds' Premier League opener against Fulham with an illness. He was back on the bench against Crystal Palace but was an unused substitute in the 1-1 draw, with James Milner, Fabinho and Harvey Elliott preferred in the middle of the park, before Jordan Henderson, Joe Gomez, Kostas Tsimikas and latterly Fabio Carvalho were all brought on in the second half, after Klopp's side went down to 10 men.
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