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Former Premier League striker Noel Whelan has urged Liverpool to part ways with Naby Keita this summer.
This follows the Guinean central midfielder was absent due to injury on Saturday as this Reds beat Southampton 2-0 at Anfield.
Keita's latest absence was the 26-year-olds fourth injury setback this season alone in what has been another heavily disrupted campaign.
Signed with high expectations from RB Leipzig for £48million (BBC), constant injury and fitness woes have meant the move hasn't worked out as planned.
Now, Whelan has told Football Insider could be the time to cash in on the 38-cap Guinea man.
"When you've had a player that you've paid a lot of money for but not had the benefits of them through injury or whatever reason, then you're better trying to offload the player now. He's been a bigger player this season compared to previous years. You've got to take a hit, take a loss, there's no doubt about that. He's a good age and still has that reputation which means clubs will take a chance on him. It won't be for what they bought him for but they will recoup some money back, that's for sure."
The 46-year-old went on to say there was 'no point' retaining a player on Keita's wages who can only play '15 times' a season.
This season the Guinea captain has played 16 times in all competitions and just 10 times in the Premier League.
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Unfortunately, things simply haven't worked as planned for Keita at Anfield.
As Jurgen Klopp prepares to oversee a shake-up of his squad, the Guinean is a player who could take the fall given his high £34.2million market value.
In recent seasons the mantra has been sell to buy in the transfer market, something that is unlikely to change in the wake of a global pandemic.
Therefore, recouping a chunk of Keita's transfer fee would go a long way to strengthening the squad elsewhere.