Alan Hutton said Liverpool should trade Keita this summer if the midfielder isn’t going to sign a new contract.
The former Tottenham and Aston Villa right-back suggested the Reds will want to “tie down” Keita to reinforce their aging midfield in an exclusive interview with Football Insider.
Alan Nixon of The Sun reported on August 6 that Jurgen Klopp’s team and the 27-year-old are nearing an agreement on a contract extension.
The Guinea international joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2018 for £52.75million.
The midfielder is now in the last year of his deal with Liverpool.
Football Insider questioned Hutton about Keita’s future, and he responded, “Nobody wants an asset to depart for free.
“You don’t want to see him leave for free. He’s not consistently starting week in and week out. I know Jurgen Klopp loves to tinker with his midfield and his group in general.
“I believe they will attempt to restrain him. The Liverpool midfield could need some additional bodies because it isn’t getting any younger, therefore I believe they would want to lock him down.
You don’t want to let one of your assets depart for free, therefore if he won’t sign a new contract, I believe now would be the time to let him go.
Keita did not play for Liverpool in their Saturday 2-2 draw with Fulham (6 August).
The midfielder’s absence was reportedly caused by an illness, according to The Liverpool Echo (10 August).
In other news, a commentator predicts that Roberto Firmino will be fired by Liverpool following Jurgen Klopp’s pre-Crystal Palace assertion.