Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
LEIPZIG’S DIG AT KEITA
LIVERPOOL target Naby Keita has been criticised by RB Leipzig, who claim he has had his head turned by “a whole village in Guinea”.
The extraordinary comments were made by Leipzig’s sporting director Ralf Rangnick, with the 22-year-old keen to move to Anfield.
Speaking at a coaching convention, Rangnick said: “There should be someone who points them into the right direction.
“The boys themselves are not the problem here. It is their surroundings. “A t
Liverpool we have the culture and environment to help him reach his full potential. There is no ceiling to ambition here.
“I want him to help make us better and more successful as a team. He is as quick in his legs as he is in his brain.
“His pace and skills make him very exciting. Which team wouldn’t want a player that brings this?
“We believe this is a project that is very, very attractive to the sort of player who has the right attitude. A player who is hungry and greedy to be part of a special story – achieve special things.
“This player has the potential to be a very important person in our collective Liverpool story over the next few seasons.
“We will do everything to make him the best he can be.” A whole village in Guinea or somebody from their entourage tells the players why they must do something right away. I can’t blame the players.”
Keita was born in Conakry, the financial capital of Guinea.
Liverpool have had three failed bids for him, the last worth £66million.
The midfielder has told Leipzig that he wants out, but Rangnick added neither he nor attacking midfielder Emil Forsberg will be allowed to go.
Rangnick said: “I expect them to play for us next season.”