Liverpool dealt blow in battle to keep hold of midfielder

Liverpool returned to winning ways on Tuesday with a 2-0 victory over Scottish side Rangers in the Champions League. 

The match, which was the first ever competitive fixture between the two sides, didn’t disappoint in terms of action, with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s spectacular free-kick putting the hosts ahead at Anfield.

Mohamed Salah’s penalty in the second period doubled the lead and secured a much-needed three points for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

The Reds have won just five of their 13 games across all competitions this season, including just two of their seven league matches.

Klopp has struggled with a number of injuries to crucial players, including Naby Keita, who was once again absent for the visit of Rangers.

Now, it has been reported that the midfielder is stalling on negotiations over a new contract.

As reported by BILD on Twitter, the Guinea international will not enter into talks over a new deal until January.

The 27-year-old’s current contract is set to expire next summer and, while Liverpool are keen to extend his stay on Merseyside, the player himself is more reluctant to begin talks immediately.

Klopp is keen to keep Keita around

Keita joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2018, costing the Premier League side £54 million at the time.

Since arriving in England, the midfielder has struggled with injury problems but has largely impressed when fully fit.

In his four years at Anfield, Keita has made 117 appearances, winning the Premier League, Champions League, Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Super Cup in that time.

Despite his poor injury record, it appears that Klopp is keen to keep Keita within his ranks.

Prior to his time in Germany, Keita played for RB Salzburg, winning the league and cup double in both the 2014/15 and 2015/16 seasons with the Austrian side.

He then spent two years with Leipzig before being sold to Klopp’s side.

Liverpool have only relatively recently put an end to the long-running saga surrounding Mohamed Salah’s contract.

The Egyptian was stalling for several months over a new deal before eventually putting pen-to-paper on a lucrative new contract over the summer.