"This line came in" - 120k-a-week Liverpool star could leave this summer

Naby Keita could leave Liverpool in the remaining weeks of the transfer window, according to Sky Sports journalist Emma Paton.

Keita has been left frustrated with his situation at Anfield, having not played the minutes he feels he deserves, and with just 12 months remaining on his current deal, he could seek a late departure from Merseyside.

Despite the Reds having been dealt a significant injury blow in the midfield department with Thiago Alcantara having been ruled out for several months, Jurgen Klopp is still be willing to sanction a deal for the Guinea international.

Speaking on Sky, Paton said: “This line came into us yesterday from Sky in Germany and they’re reporting that Naby Keita is unhappy with his current situation at Liverpool and he wants more playing time.

“There were talks over a contract extension, those have since stopped and a departure before the transfer deadline two weeks today hasn’t been ruled out.

“He’s set to have talks with the club. We understand that these talks and these discussions are ongoing at the moment with Keita and his representatives."

"I also want to make clear that the relationship is good with the player and with the club as well and they have not been made aware that he’s unhappy at the moment.”

Since arriving at Liverpool from RB Leipzig for £48 million in 2018, Keita has managed just 76 Premier League appearances across five seasons.

Having suffered a series of injuries in his time at the club, the 27-year-old may now seek a new challenge elsewhere.

However, after playing a more significant role under Klopp last season, managing 40 appearances across all competitions, it was thought that Keita had turned a corner on his fitness issues and would finally become an important part of the German’s squad.

With Thiago and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain both absent, he would’ve expected to start on Monday night against Crystal Palace, but was an unused substitute despite the Reds chasing a winner late on.

This lack of involvement against Palace may have been significant in this saga, and with the emergence of young midfielders Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho, the tide may have turned on Keita.

This could be one to watch out for in the final two weeks of the window.