Liverpool news: Pundit can’t believe Naby Keita could sign new deal after source’s update today
Alan Hutton has insisted Liverpool must “cut their losses” on Naby Keita after opening talks over a new contract.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Scotland international admitted Jurgen Klopp “can’t rely on” the 27-year-old and should let him go for the good of all involved.
Football Insider revealed on Friday (25 November) that Liverpool have pulled the plug on new contract talks with Keita and he is now free to join a new club.
An Anfield source updated today to Football Insider that Keita is likely to go at the end of the season and will only go in January if a replacement signing is secured.
The midfielder is set to be out of contract next summer and will be able to speak to foreign sides over a pre-contract agreement in January.
However, Hutton has admitted he cannot see Keita staying at Anfield past the end of the season.
Discussing the midfielder’s future on Merseyside, Hutton told Football Insider: “It’s a real hard one, isn’t it? Very hard, when you shell out that sort of money, plus wages over his contract, we’re talking a lot here.
“Even if it’s not worked out for whatever reason at the football club, you still want to try and get back some of that money that you laid out.
“Whether it be try and sell him, I don’t know. Can he go and speak to anybody now? It’s a difficult one. I can’t see him signing a new deal unless it’s on reduced terms.
“Even that being said, do you really want to sign a player you can’t rely on? Sometimes, I think, as a club or a player, you have to cut your losses and move on. We could be getting to that timeframe for him, and I think they should sell in January.”
Keita has played just once for Liverpool this season, in the Community Shield on 30 July, having been plagued by a hamstring injury.
In other news, pundit suggests new Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain move after Southampton reveal.