There have been suggestions that Naby Keita has already played his last game for RB Leipzig.
With an agreement in place to join Liverpool this year, certain reports in Germany claimed that Keita could be announced as a Reds player as early as Sunday.
Liverpool had agreed a £48 million plus deal last August but Leipzig were eager to hang on to the 22-year-old for the duration of the season, unless the Merseyside club parted ways with an extra £13 million sweetener fee in January.
“[Naby Keita] wants to leave us in the summer,” Leipzig boss Ralf Rangnick said ahead of Saturday’s game.
Reports in Germany claim Naby Keita will play his last game for RB Leipzig this weekend before joining Liverpool. #LFC #RBLeipzig
— Pete O'Rourke (@SportsPeteO) January 12, 2018
“He will play with us until the end of the season. He is starting today. There isn’t more to say.”
But once Philippe Coutinho’s move to Barcelona was confirmed last week, pressure intensified on Liverpool to bring Keita in before the summer, however Jurgen Klopp would not be drawn into commenting on the deal during his press conference on Friday.
“My understanding is there is nothing to say about it,” Klopp said. “When we had this conversation around Coutinho, I said there was nothing to say about it. I will not start doing that now.
Who knows what to believe? https://t.co/a5AMizKw1c
— JOE (@JOE_co_uk) January 12, 2018
“He’s a player of Leipzig, that’s what I know. And in the summer he will be here, that’s what I know. The rest, I have nothing to say.”
Keita got on the scoresheet for Leipzig during their 3-1 victory over Schalke on Saturday afternoon with a fortuitous long-range effort opening the scoring.
How unfortunate is that for Schalke!? 😱
Liverpool-bound Naby Keita puts RB Leipzig 1-0 ahead at the break with a long distance strike… but it takes a massive deflection on its way in.
BT Sport 3 HD 📺 pic.twitter.com/rJoitO0hZh
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 13, 2018
Reds supporters watching their future midfielder in action were most intrigued by the Guinea international’s celebration, or lack thereof.
After netting his third goal in the league this season, Keita barely broke a smile and, in the process, prompted Liverpool fans to believe his head was already at Anfield.
No celebration for Keita after his third goal in Bundesliga this season. Watch. pic.twitter.com/r4dVD5eAbU
— Thierno Amadou Makadji (@ThAmadouMakadji) January 13, 2018
That muted celebration has to mean that Keita is on his way to Liverpool. Best guess is Naby activated his instant release clause that all players now have at there disposal.
"I WILL PLAY SHITE FOR YOU FROM NOW ON UNLESS YOU LET ME GO. MY MIND IS NOW MADE UP. SOZ!"
Job done.
— Wisdoms of Liverpool (@LFCwisdoms) January 13, 2018
Has Keita just scored his last goal for RB Leipzig? From the celebration I’d say yes #LFC #Keita #RBL
— SM💫 (@SauceLikeSharin) January 13, 2018
From watching that Keita goal non celebration and his team mates pats on the back,that tells me he's already had his pass stamped for LFC arrival.
— Coach Walker (@ScottWalker11) January 13, 2018
Watching the goal again think you can tell by the celebration all the team know he's gone #Keita jest a observation though
— Oh Andy Andy 🏴 (@KloppMeister19) January 13, 2018
Keita scores! Muted celebration though. Perhaps his head is somewhere else! 😁
— Brendy LFC 🇵🇸 (@Brendykerr) January 13, 2018
