Naby Keita slated by Whelan after Liverpool source’s reveal
Noel Whelan has insisted Naby Keita does not deserve a new Liverpool contract.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Leeds United striker said Keita is not worth the “big” wages he will be demanding.
On 25 November, sources told this site that the Reds have pulled the plug on new contract talks with the 27-year-old and are now willing to let him leave.
The Merseysiders have held talks with the Guinea international in an attempt to secure an extension to prevent him from leaving for free in the summer when his contract expires.
However it is becoming increasingly likely Keita will leave for nothing at the end of the season.
The midfielder has struggled with injury problems since his arrival from RB Leipzig in 2018 and is yet to make a league appearance for Liverpool this season.
Whelan insisted the Reds’ money could be better spent elsewhere.
“To be quite honest I do not think he deserves a new contract.
“I do not think he has put enough into the football club, I do not think he has put enough minutes on the field to be worthy of a new contract.
“He has been plagued with injuries since he came to the club. We have seen him sporadically throughout certain seasons and competitions but he never managed to nail down a definitive role for Liverpool.
“In the back of people’s minds he is a player that they would love to have but the question mark is can they keep him fit. He will be demanding big wages and you do not want to play him for half a season for three years.“
In other news, a pundit has backed Liverpool to ‘break the bank’ to complete ‘big’ Cody Gakpo deal.