da leao： Liverpool will prioritise penning Naby Keita to a new deal this summer and the links to Gini Wijnaldum are ‘fake’, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The Lowdown: Keita enjoys best season

da fazobetai： The 27-year-old hasn’t always hit the heights expected of him when he joined the Reds in 2018 but he enjoyed a strong 2021/22 campaign.

Keita made 40 appearances overall for Liverpool as they battled for a quadruple, proving to be an effective part of Jurgen Klopp’s well-drilled midfield after years of struggling with injuries.

The Guinean is out of contract at Anfield next summer as it stands, but a positive update has emerged regarding his future.

The Latest: Romano drops midfield update

Taking to Twitter, Romano confirmed that Liverpool are not interested in bringing back Wijnaldum on loan, focusing instead extending Keita’s stay at the club:

“Liverpool are not in talks to sign Gini Wijnaldum from Paris Saint-Germain as of today. Rumours are described as ‘fake’ by sources. LFC Board priority will be to extend Naby Keita’s contract, talks to take place soon.”

The Verdict: Right decision by Reds

While Keita remains a divisive figure among the Liverpool fanbase, it makes complete sense to offer him a new deal, with last season proof of what he can offer.

The midfielder is relentless in his pressing and general off-the-ball work, averaging two tackles per game in Premier League in 2021/22 – no Reds regular managed more – and he also stayed largely injury-free.

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With other Liverpool midfielders now in their 30s, this really could be the time for Keita to go up another level and cement himself as a genuine starter almost every week.

In other news, one player is wanted by Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool this summer. Find out who it is here.