Liverpool's pursuit of Naby Keita has only become messier, riskier and much more difficult

By postponing their pursuit of Keita, Liverpool are at risk of losing out on him not once, but twice

Liverpool have postponed their pursuit of RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita until next summer (Getty)

After weeks of rebuttals, denials and refusals, finally, for the briefest of moments on Saturday night, a RB Leipzig employee publicly acknowledged the possibility of Naby Keita leaving the club one day.

“Liverpool will not be the only one [interested in Keita], I think,” head coach Ralph Hasenhuttl said after his side’s Emirates Cup defeat to Benfica. “Until next summer we keep the door closed and then we have a look.”

As stubborn as the likes of Hasenhuttl, sporting director Ralf Rangnick and chief executive Oliver Mintzlaff have been with Keita this summer, Leipzig appear to accept that they are likely to lose him in a year’s time. Whether that is because of the reported £48m release clause in the midfielder’s contract that comes into effect in 2018, Hasenhuttl would not say, but his remarks were telling in any case, and not least because they were a warning to Liverpool.

Hasenhuttl understands and it cannot be ignored that by postponing their pursuit of Keita, Liverpool are at risk of losing out on him not once, but twice. The Guinean, described in scouting circles as a unique talent, will not be a one-season wonder. In 12 months’ time, he will still be turning in performances that belie the £1.3m Red Bull Salzburg, Leipzig’s sister club, paid for him just three years ago. More importantly, by then, Keita will still be an elite player at a club trying to reach elite level. Those players soon attract a lot of attention.

Indeed, the only part of Liverpool’s pursuit that went smoothly was the lack of competition for Keita’s signature. Despite the player’s singular abilities, they were virtually unopposed, particularly once his frustration at Leipzig’s intransigence and wish to move to Merseyside became public knowledge. It would be naive in the extreme for Liverpool to believe that their path would be so clear again, particularly if the release clause speculation is true.

There is also the issue of Keita’s own ambitions, which he has never hidden. “I hope, however, that I have the level in two, three years and could play for one of the very big clubs,” he has previously told Die Welt. “This includes Barcelona, but it also includes Real Madrid or Manchester City.” All three of those clubs could be in the market for an all-action midfielder next year, and interest from any one of them would test the integrity Keita’s desire to play for Jürgen Klopp.

Champions League football, too, will be a factor when he eventually comes to a decision, and it is at Anfield this season, progression through the playoff round permitting. Yet given the level of competition domestically this year, a top-four finish is far from guaranteed. Liverpool are, for the moment, at the level where Keita wants to play. Next year, they may not be.

It must be asked then, why pull out now when the situation could be much more unfavourable next summer? For Liverpool to withdraw their interest despite being willing to pay more than the second and final failed bid of €75m (£66.3m) suggests those in charge of their negotiations realised that Leipzig are playing the long game. The Bundesliga runners-up are effectively losing out on an additional £25m to have one of European football’s best midfielders for one more season, in the hope he helps them become an established club at the elite level.

It would be wise for Liverpool to try something similar. If Keita is a long-term target, one who would be integral to an ideal Klopp side, they must keep their channels to the player open. Progression through the Champions League, ideally to its latter stages, will be needed. Another prestigious signing, perhaps Virgil van Dijk, would help. Essentially, Liverpool need to match the clubs who will compete with them for their man next summer. Even then, that might not be enough. The Keita transfer saga is not over, but harder, messier and much riskier for Liverpool.