Jurgen Klopp has already indicated that he could dip into the market if Naby Keita is to leave Liverpool this summer. Liverpool are continuing talks with Keita over a new contract with the Guinean entering the final 12 months of his current deal and, at present, would be able to open discussions with clubs from abroad from January.
Reports in Germany on Wednesday claimed Keita was unhappy with the negotiations over a new Reds deal, suggesting they had broken down while hinting he could leave before the transfer window closes on September 1.
The ECHO, however, understands that Liverpool have received no indication of Keita being discontent with his situation, and maintain a good relationship with the player and his representatives.
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Should Keita leave, though, Liverpool will dip into the transfer market, Klopp has already insinuated. With issues with Keita, Thiago, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Curtis Jones, the Reds are currently light in their midfield options.
Speaking on transfers, Klopp told Sky Sports: "If nobody wants to leave, we are done. Or if a bad injury comes in... I don't hope so. But Liverpool fans can now start focusing on other things."
Pressed on if any players such as Keita could leave before deadline day on September 1, Klopp added: "Have I ever spoken in situations like this about it? You get the results - not the process!"
And speaking after Thiago's injury on if he could dip into the market, he said: "We will see," the German replied. "A transfer must make sense now and in the long-term. We have eight midfielders. We still have enough midfielders. It's not that we lack midfielders, it's just some of them are injured. This isn't a good situation, I don't like it at all. We have to see how we react on that, but for sure not panic."
Liverpool have been strongly linked with Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund, but that move is not expected this summer with the player already confirming his intentions to remain in Germany this season.
The Reds' dwindling options has seen them elevate 17-year-old Stefan Bajcetic, a player who may be forced to see game time in upcoming games with Klopp running low on numbers in the midfield positions.
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