Journalist claims Liverpool star is "expected to leave" the club after dismal Crystal Palace performance

Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita is expected to leave the club this summer, a journalist has claimed.

Keita's contract at Anfield expires this summer, and there is currently no indication that the Guinea international will extend his five-year stay at the club.

The 28-year-old signed for Liverpool from RB Leipzig for a total fee of £52.75 million in 2018, and helped the club to their sixth Champions League title in his first season at the club, despite missing the final due to injury.

Injury issues have affected the midfielder throughout his time at Anfield, and he missed three months of action between August and November this season due to a serious hamstring injury.

He has been linked with a move away from the club when his contract expires this summer, with Fabrizio Romano claiming that Barcelona could be an option as his next destination.

Meanwhile, Keita started Liverpool's 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace alongside Jordan Henderson and James Milner on Saturday, with the trio all struggling to exert control over the midfield battle at Selhurst Park. Keita received a yellow card in the first half, and was substituted at half-time by manager Jurgen Klopp.

Journalist claims Keita is expected to leave

Taking to Twitter, The Athletic's Andy Jones wrote: "Not for the first time, a night and performance to forget for Naby Keita. Klopp had no option but to take the midfielder off at HT.

"Unlikely to be his last LFC performance, but expected to leave in the summer, it's tough to see how he starts many more."

Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenburg claimed last month that Keita was unlikely to sign a new deal at Liverpool.

A return to previous club RB Leipzig may be a possibility. According to German outlet Bild (via Sport Witness), Liverpool rejected an offer from Leipzig for the Guinean midfielder on transfer deadline day. Klopp is said to have personally intervening to ensure he stayed at Anfield until the end of the season.

Plettenburg tweeted: "[Keita] is on verge to leave LFC as a free agent in summer. Contract extension unlikely at this stage.

"Many clubs are interested to sign him. But he won't join Galatasaray. His return to Germany is not excluded."