Liverpool told they must wait for Naby Keita

Liverpool will have to be patient before they get their hands on Naby Keita. That was the message from RB Leipzig sporting director Ralf Rangnick, who was asked about the midfielder’s situation during an interview with Leipziger Volkszeitung.

Sky Sports, who ran an eye over Rangnick’s comments, say that the German outfit are adamant the 22-year-old playmaker won’t be arriving at Anfield ahead of his scheduled move next summer.

The Reds have “agreed a fee of at least £48m” for the youngster and there have been rumours on Merseyside that Jurgen Klopp has been trying to persuade Leipzig to release Keita in the new year.

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No chance, says Rangnick: “Even if we should not reach the knockout stages of the Champions League, it would make no sense to allow Naby to join Liverpool earlier, ” he added. “We want to qualify for Europe again and we need Naby for that.”

Rangnick also addressed the issue of the Guinean’s disciplinary problems this season, which have seen him sent off three times - twice for his club and once for his country - not to mention his six-figure court fine for using a forged driver’s license. “We will, of course, support Naby,” said Leipzig’s sporting director. “Naby’s easy-going. It’s hard not to get on well with him. Naby trains well, plays well, is always on time. He’s popular in the team.”

When Keita does arrive next year, will Philippe Coutinho still be a Red? The Brazilian playmaker was linked with Barcelona all of last summer, and while no move materialised, his future is once again being discussed by the Daily Mirror. According to the paper, Neymar is “doing his best to convince countryman and pal” to move to Paris Saint-Germain.

Neymar made the switch to the French capital in August and apparently the frontman is keen that Coutinho joins him at PSG. The gossip comes just a few days after Coutinho’s agent, Kia Joorabchian, was spotted in the company of PSG’s sporting director, Antero Henrique, fuelling speculation that a possible move across the Channel could be in the pipeline.