Former Liverpool man, Steve McManaman, has warned Liverpool not to pick up Eddie Nketiah when the striker becomes a free agent this summer.

Newcastle United's English defender Dan Burn (R) blocks a shot from Arsenal's English striker Eddie Nketiah during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Arsenal at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on May 16, 2022.(Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Newcastle United’s English defender Dan Burn (R) blocks a shot from Arsenal’s English striker Eddie Nketiah during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Arsenal at St James’ Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on May 16, 2022.(Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Quite how much real interest there is from Liverpool in Eddie Nketiah as he heads towards the last month of his Arsenal contract is hard to say.

The striker, who has finally been given a run in Arsenal’s first team, has so far refused to sign a new Arsenal contract because he wants guaranteed football.

Would he get that at Liverpool?

Seems unlikely.

“I don’t think he’s good enough for Liverpool, to be honest,” McManaman said.

“I like Eddie Nketiah, but he’s not going to dismantle any of that Liverpool front five and the club has an academy full of centre forwards, so I can’t see this move happening.

“Mikel Arteta has selected him a lot recently, but it wasn’t too long ago that he didn’t seem interested in him. He just has to work hard and keep improving.

“[Alexandre] Lacazette may leave on a free transfer this summer, so there could be space for him to continue with Arsenal. But he needs to see whether his manager is planning on bringing in two or three forwards.

“If he’s happy there, though and he’s playing there, then he should stay at Arsenal.”

It’s still impossible to determine what will happen to Nketiah after the season comes to a close this weekend.

The 22-year-old has nine goals, and one assist, in 27 appearances this season, averaging a goal or assist every 121.7 minutes.

Only Bukayo Saka (12) and Emile Smith Rowe (11) have scored more than Nketiah this season, however they have played 3,281 minutes and 2,176 minutes respectively while Nketiah has played just 1,217.