"I don’t see him in Liverpool’s strongest starting XI" - Neil Mellor on Reds midfielder

Former Liverpool striker Neil Mellor would like to see Naby Keita offered a new contract at Anfield but considers him a "very good squad player" rather than a nailed-on starter.

The Guinea international’s current deal expires in 2023, and in an interview with BookiesBonuses.com, Mellor explained why he’d like to see the midfielder prolong his stay on Merseyside.

He said: "When Naby came, I thought he could be one of the best players in the Premier League but he hasn’t shown that consistency and I’m not sure we’ve seen the best of him.

"He’s only 27, so he’s still young, and I think he’s been unfortunate with injuries and he hasn’t been able to have a consistent run in the team.

"Last season was his best season, I don’t think you can argue with that. He got 40 appearances for Liverpool. I thought he was a very good squad player to come in.

"I don’t see him in Liverpool’s strongest starting XI, but what I do see is a very good squad player to come in and make the difference in other games.

"We saw that in Champions League games and we saw that in Premier League games. So yeah, absolutely, the manager likes him, and it would be good to see him sign a new deal."

Anfield Watch Verdict

This is definitely a fair assessment by Mellor. Keita has so much talent and potential, but at the moment, he probably doesn't fit into Liverpool's strongest team.

He doesn't really offer anything 'special' like Thiago Alcantara or Fabio Carvalho do. Even if the Guinea captain does sign a new contract, I think we still need to go out and sign another midfielder.

For me, Jude Bellingham is the perfect Jurgen Klopp midfielder and I strongly believe that the Reds will be in for him whenever Borussia Dortmund decide to sell him. He has been linked with a move to Liverpool after all.

If that's this summer or next summer, who knows, but when it does happen, we need to be at the front of the queue offering the England international whatever he wants.