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Liverpool Change Their Tactics On Naby Keita Transfer

Liverpool Change Their Tactics On Naby Keita Transfer

The Reds have been left frustrated by Red Bull Leipzig so are changing how they go about signing the player.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Jurgen Klopp has been left frustrated by two of his main transfer targets so far this summer. Whilst it feels like he'll get his hands on one of them he's had to change his policy on the signing of Naby Keita.

The transfer window throws up some quite frankly hilarious hypocrisy in fans. The idea of another team trying to turn one of 'our' team's best players to join them is outrageous but when the team we support tries the same it's all good.

Matt Le Tissier really shon the light on this when he took the piss out of former Liverpool player John Aldridge, for suggesting Southampton centre back Virgil van Dijk should go on strike to force a move, by suggesting Coutinho should do the same with his possible move to Barcelona:

Of course the situations are slightly different but that didn't make Liverpool fans' anger at the joke every bit as enjoyable as it was. Fans expect other clubs to allow their targets to go easily.

One other player who has been far from easy for Jurgen Klopp to sign is Red Bull Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita with the Reds having bids of £57 million and £66 million turned down.

According to The Times, Liverpool are now set to put any move for the 22 year old till next summer. That's because his contract has a release clause that activates summer 2018 for 'just' £48 million.

Keita in action for Leipzig against Bayer Leverkusen. Image: PA

In theory should Liverpool pull that off next summer they would get a player with one more year development as a first team player, with Champions League experience, for less than they've bid so far this summer.

Liverpool's situation with Keita and Van Dijk is mirrored somewhat in Barcelona being after Philippe Coutinho, who they insist is not for sale.

It does feel like Van Dijk will move this summer but the Reds will probably keep hold of their Brazilian midfielder whilst they will hope that Keita still wants to move to them and not elsewhere next summer.

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