Tam McManus criticises Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita and his time at the club
Former Hibernian striker Tam McManus has criticised Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita and has claimed that no team would want to sign him in the upcoming January transfer window.
Kieta, who moved to the Merseyside club in 2018 for £52.75 million from RB Leipzig, has struggled for both form and fitness at the club.
The Guinea international sees his current contract expire next summer (transfermarkt) and it is highly unlikely that the Reds are going to offer him a new deal.
Now the former Hibernian striker, while speaking exclusively to Football Insider, lashed out at the 27-year-old for his form at the club and claimed no one would want to sign him in January.
“He has never been a regular, he was a big-money signing, people forget. He looked very, very good at Leipzig but he has struggled to get into that Liverpool midfield, a midfield that has taken a lot of criticism this season. There are talented players in there but there aren’t any legs. He might still have a big move in him but Liverpool aren’t really in control of that with him out of contract soon. It’s such a waste. I don’t think anyone will want him in January.”
Keita has played 117 games for the Reds so far in all competitions during his time at the club, managing to score only 11 goals and getting another seven assists in the process.
He has not featured for the club this season and only came off the bench at the end during our 3-1 over Manchester City in the Community Shield Cup.
From the club’s perspective, it will be wise for the club to get rid of the player. He has failed to perform at the expected level and his departure would be a win-win situation for both the club and player.
The club can still earn some money by selling him in January or he will leave for free next summer. Paris-Saint Germain and Juventus are believed to be interested in the 27-year-old and could approach him for a pre-agreement in two months’ time.
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Keita could still secure a new deal at the club if he can perform for his side in the second half of the season, although this seems highly unlikely to happen. It remains to be seen what happens with the midfielder.