Liverpool could reportedly be about to make a mistake that would affect aspiring duo – TBR View

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CalcioMercato say Liverpool are looking to hand Naby Keita a new contract soon – but surely such a deal would hamper two of their young stars?

Keita, 26, has entered the final two years of his contract at Liverpool. Failing to strike a deal with the Guinea ace could force the Reds into a sale soon.

But is that really the end of the world? Keita has struggled to rediscover the form he produced while at RB Leipzig, since joining in July 2018.

Just 80 appearances have come in the space of three and a bit seasons, scoring just seven goals. Keita is good, but not yet showing Liverpool form.

So, would handing him a new deal be advisable? A new contract would make it impossible for interested clubs to sign him next summer.

Keita contract: Jones and Elliott need Liverpool pathway

Instead, Liverpool should forget about extending Keita’s deal and keep the possibility of selling him next summer wide open.

Offloading Keita next summer benefits both Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott. Both need first-team game time and plenty of it to aid their development.

Obviously, Elliott is injured at the moment. But Keita represents a mediocre obstacle on the pathway for Jones and Elliott to the first team.

Is Keita good enough to keep, and therefore hamper the development of Elliott and Jones? The Leipzig version perhaps, not the Liverpool one.

Handing Keita a new deal would be the wrong decision. The better move is selling him next summer, and allowing Jones and Elliott to play more.