Timo Werner has been warned against leaving RB Leipzig – by being reminding of Naby Keita‘s plight.
Keita left Leipzig to join Liverpool last summer, but has failed to have much of an impact at Anfield.
The midfielder has started just 13 of Liverpool’s 32 games in all competitions, with 13 players being given more minutes.
It was thought that the Guinea international could one day be joined on Merseyside by Werner, who Liverpool have eyed as a long-term target.
But Leipzig manager Ralf Rangnick has warned the Germany international against leaving, suggesting that Keita’s struggles prove “the surroundings must be right”.
“Keita was an outstanding player here, but he’s still struggling in Liverpool,” Rangnick told Sky Germany.
“So far, he’s not the player there that he was here. The surroundings must be right for Timo. That’s the case here.
“We have gone to our financial limit with our offer. We know that he can earn more elsewhere, but he can also provide for himself for the rest of his life here. The financial aspect will not be the decisive factor, but rather the sporting perspective.
“We’re trying to keep him. He knows he’s very popular in the team, with the coach and the fans.
“He’s a top player, and he has become one of the most exciting Bundesliga strikers in the country. He still has one and a half year left of his contract, and I hope that he’ll stay. But in the end, it’s up to him.”