Naby Keita's early season form could spell the end of Gini Wijnaldum's Liverpool career.

Guinea midfielder Keita has been impressive over the first few weeks of the season.

Wijnaldum is out of contract at the end of the season, and the form of Keita might persuade Jurgen Klopp to let the Dutchman walk for free, according according to Liverpool.com's Mark Wakefield.

"Keita is almost evolving into a Gini Wijnaldum-style player and I think that might be by design," Wakefield told the Liverpool.com podcast. "Klopp might be well prepared for Wijnaldum leaving next year which is becoming more and more likely.

"Keita is becoming the prodigy to Wijnaldum and doing that defensive side. Gradually we could see a phasing out of Wijnaldum so if he does go on a free then the loss is not as big."

Wijnaldum, 29, has been linked with Barcelona, who are managed by his former Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman.

Koeman publicly admitted over the weekend that Wijnaldum was on his transfer list for this past summer.

The former Newcastle star will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with Barca in January.