Liverpool are closer to extending Naby Keita’s contract as it will be cheaper than a transfer replacement

LIVERPOOL are on the verge of sealing a renewal with Naby Keita as he enters the final year of his contract.

Keita has probably been a very rare blemish in the Reds’ near-perfect record in recent years.

2

But Kop’s moneymen want to keep the 27-year-old Guinea midfielder, despite a mixed spell at Anfield since joining from RB Leipzig in 2018 for £52.75million.

That’s because it would cost a fortune to replace Keita in their roster and they’d rather keep him even if he’s not their top pick.

Keita could be persuaded to stay there if conditions are right after winning all the major trophies with the Reds.

He was ruled out of Liverpool’s shock opening day tie with Fulham due to illness.

Keita watched pal Sadio Mane leave Anfield for Bayern Munich this summer as Jurgen Klopp shuffled his pack.

Klopp paid Benfica’s Darwin Nunez a £85million fee to replace Mane.

And it’s a move Liverpool legend Pepe Reina celebrated as a game-changer heading into the new season.

Reina said: “Darwin and Mane are two great players of a certain stature.

FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS – THE BEST OFFERS FOR NEW CUSTOMERS

“Let’s find out what Darwin can bring to the roster with the help of his teammates.

“But this swap makes sense and can be a great thing for the club.

“Liverpool have a wide range of players but they needed someone who could hold the ball and play one-twos.

“And thanks to Darwin, they’re perfect in attack.”

2