Fabrizio Romano Reveals What Liverpool's Real Priority Is Right Now

Italian Journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed Liverpool’s latest priority is to tie down Naby Keita to a new contract this summer, as the Guinean’s current deal is set to expire next summer.

As such, despite the wishes of some Reds fans, a new midfielder won’t be recruited this summer.

It is therefore important that Liverpool hold on to what they already have.

Takumi Minamino is set to leave Merseyside in the coming days, with Monaco a likely destination, in a deal worth £17 million.

These will be the sort of numbers Jürgen Klopp wants to be able to pick from in the middle of the park next season.

Many of his regular starters are ageing, meaning they won’t be able to play week in week out for Liverpool in the new campaign.

Rotation is thus essential, so players like Naby Keita will need to be kept around. Extending his deal in itself will also be important to Liverpool.

He is one of 5 current Reds players whose contract expires in June 2023, and the Anfield club will want to ensure these players aren’t able to leave the club for nothing next year.

Keita will be pleased to be offered a new contract by Liverpool, but one hopes he’ll be demanding more from himself next season.

He has failed to meet the lofty expectations many had for him when he joined the club from Leipzig, and needs to offer more consistency.

That said, Keita enjoyed one of his best seasons in a Liverpool shirt last term, and probably deserves the new contract. However, Kopites will be wanting even more from their Guinean midfielder next time round.