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Liverpool refuse to give up their pursuit of Naby Keita despite being officially told by Red Bull Leipzig that he is not for sale.

Leipzig contacted Liverpool on Wednesday to underline their public declarations that they were not interested in selling Keita.

However the Bundesliga side are likely to be disappointed if they hoped their intervention would end Liverpool’s interest.

Keita, 22, is understood to want a move to Anfield and Liverpool feel this gives them hope that a deal could yet be done.

(Image: Alex Livesey via Getty)

Keita is one of Jurgen Klopp’s top transfer targets and the Reds have not moved on to alternative targets on the German’s shopping list because they still believe they can land the Guinea midfielder.

Liverpool have still only signed Mohamed Salah and Dominic Solanke this summer despite the obvious need for Klopp to strengthen his squad in preparation for their Champions League campaign.

But the Reds boss has told fans not to panic after seeing his side beat Tranmere Rovers in their opening pre-season friendly.

“If any fans think what the other teams are doing and why we don’t do anything, then I can’t help,” he said.

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“We cannot buy players only because other teams buy players. We do business as good as we can do it.

“We are completely in it and we are convinced about the way we are doing it. Nervous fans, I don’t have to write a message for this.

“We have [until] the 31st of August. We have time and some things need time.

“If we make transfers, it’s because we want to do it. If not, then it’s because we don’t want to do it.

“That’s how it is and we have to wait a little bit.”