Keita’s struggles may give Werner second thoughts about potential Liverpool switch

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RB Leipzig manager Ralf Rangnick has advised his star striker Timo Werner to take into account the way his former team-mate Naby Keita has struggled at Anfield when considering whether to move to Liverpool, as reported by Buli News, via Sky in Germany.

Keita arrived at Anfield at the start of the season after a protracted transfer wrangle, and after an electrifying debut against West Ham, he has struggled for form and consistency.

The midfielder looked a perfect fit for Jurgen Klopp’s high-tempo style – just like Werner does – but Rangnick has told the German to be wary about the prospect of moving to Merseyside.

He said: “Keita was an outstanding player here, but he’s still struggling in Liverpool. So far, he’s not the player there that he was here. The surroundings must be right for Timo. That’s the case here.”

At the start of January, Metro reported – via Bild – that Liverpool were poised to sign Werner if he turned down Leipzig’s latest offer of a contract.

And Keita’s struggles may well act as a cautionary tale. Keita looked a perfect fit for Liverpool’s system, he had a full pre-season and knew he was arriving at Anfield all summer long and has still struggled to hit the ground running.

That doesn’t make him a flop – and he may well come good next season, by which time he could also have a Premier League winners medal to his name – but it does indicate that players can struggle when they’re moved outside their comfort zone.