Liverpool signing Naby Keita is 'one of the best I've worked with in 20 years' says RB Leipzig director Ralf Rangnick

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Red Bull Leipzig sporting director Ralf Rangnick has heralded impending Liverpool signing Naby Keita as one of the best players he has worked with.

Liverpool were frustrated in a summer-long pursuit of the Guinea midfielder but eventually agreed a deal to bring him to Anfield for £60m next summer.

Rangnick played a key role in keeping Keita in Germany for another season but admitted that during Liverpool's pursuit last summer, he knew they would eventually get their man. 

Naby Keita will sign for Liverpool from Red Bull Leipzig after this season

Liverpool were eager to sign Keita last summer but could not strike a deal with Red Bull Leipzig

'He's one of the best I've worked with in 20 years of professional football,' Rangnick told German magazine Kicker. 

'I'd also prefer, 10 times, that we'd kept him for another five years - but we are just not able to pay salaries in excess of €10m.' 

Throughout his career in football, Rangnick has worked with the likes of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and David Alaba. 

Keita has played nine times for Leipzig this season, scoring twice.

Leipzig sporting director Ralf Rangnick says Keita is one of the best players he has worked with

Liverpool are ninth in the Premier League after Sunday's 4-1 defeat by Tottenham at Wembley 

Liverpool have endured a disjointed start to the season so far. Sunday's 4-1 defeat by Tottenham at Wembley left Liverpool ninth in the Premier League, albeit only three points off fourth.

They are next in action on Saturday against Huddersfield at Anfield.