£130,000/week Liverpool star to leave this summer after being dropped for Merseyside Derby

Liverpool will release Naby Keita this summer after being dropped for the 2-0 Merseyside Derby win over Everton on Monday evening.

Jurgen Klopp's side returned to winning ways in the Premier League, picking up a first league win since 30 December.

The victory provided a plethora of encouraging talking points. Most impressive was Stefan Bajcetic, who Mohamed Salah says has been the best Liverpool player during this shocking run of form.

Picking up three points for the first time in 2023 has already seen the Reds rise in the league table, climbing above Chelsea into 9th place.

A midfield of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Stefan Bajcetic was selected, with Naby Keita dropped to the bench. The Guinean has been linked with a summer exit as the club aims for a summer rebuild.

Naby Keita will leave Liverpool in the summer transfer window

Multiple sources claim Naby Keita will leave Liverpool Football Club in the summer, according to Goal.

The 28-year-old has struggled to establish himself as a starter for Jurgen Klopp due to injury. Muscle injuries have blighted Keita during his four-and-a-half-year stay on Merseyside.

With Liverpool's midfield on the decline and in need of fresh talent and energy, Keita is seen as surplus to requirements and will leave the club for free upon the expiry of his deal.

The former RB Leipzig dynamo earns £130,000/week but his initial five-year contract with Liverpool will expire on 30 June 2023.

During his time at Liverpool, Keita has earned the following:

Goal reports that while "initial talks were held last year" over a potential contract extension, nothing come to fruition. Instead, journalist Neil Jones has been told by "multiple sources" that Keita will leave this summer for free.

What are Liverpool's plans to replace Naby Keita?

Liverpool have failed to invest in signing new midfielders in several recent transfer windows and the finger has been pointed at owners FSG with supporters protesting online against their unambitious approach to transfer market activity.

That needs to change and should Liverpool sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund. The Reds have been heavily linked with the English midfielder but nothing is official yet.

Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano reports this week that Liverpool want to sign two midfielders this summer while a centre-back could also be signed.

"For sure, Liverpool want to support Klopp in the summer with the new signings.," Romano told Caught Offside.

"Jude Bellingham is the top priority but there’s a chance they can go for one more midfielder because of Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain contract situation.

"I’d keep an eye also on the centre-backs situation."

Realistically, Liverpool need to sign three midfielders to properly safeguard against any unforeseen issues that may arise next season.

Liverpool are set to lose the following midfielders this summer:

1. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Contract expiry)
2. James Milner (Contract expiry)
3. Naby Keita (Contract expiry)
4. Arthur Melo (Loan recall)

The remaining midfielders will include:

1. Jordan Henderson
2. Fabinho
3. Thiago
4. Stefan Bajcetic
5. Fabio Carvalho
6. Curtis Jones
7. Harvey Elliott

Naby Keita dropped for Merseyside Derby in favour of Stefan Bajcetic

Keita is no longer seen as a key player and with Liverpool preparing to let him leave for free in the summer, it is no surprise that he will not feature as highly in the midfield pecking order as he might had he agreed on a contract extension with the club.

Jurgen Klopp dropped Keita for the Merseyside Derby win over Everton on Monday evening.

Stefan Bajcetic was chosen over the Guinean, and he delivered a memorable display to vindicate Klopp's faith in the teenager.

Only 18, he won Man of the Match for his aggressive yet composed performance.

Keita may be on the verge of leaving the club, but the promise of Stefan Bajcetic softens the blow somewhat. He's easily been Liverpool's best player in 2023 and should feature heavily until the end of the season.

Key takeaways and reflection

• Liverpool will release Naby Keita for free in June
• His £130,000/week contract will expire at the end of the season
  
• Stefan Bajcetic will ease the loss of losing Keita 
• Jude Bellingham and others may join in the summer
• Significant midfield investment is a non-negotiable 

It's been disheartening to watch a player as exciting as Naby Keita once was diminish in front of our very eyes, but football can be cruel.

Liverpool paid £52.75M to sign Keita in 2018 and while he has shone at various intervals, any run of games in the side has more often than not been cut short by injuries.

At 28, he should be in his prime as a midfielder. It's such a pity that Keita has been unable to reach his full potential as it appeared as though he would be the perfect midfielder for Klopp.

If Liverpool can recruit well in the summer, the 2023/23 season could be one to remember.