RB Leipzig End Liverpool's Hopes of Early Naby Keita Move | OneFootball

Naby Keita will not be allowed to ditch Leipzig for ​Liverpool in January, regardless of progression to the knockout stages of the Champions League, according to Leipziger Volkszeitung.

It was announced during the summer that Liverpool had met Keita's release clause and the Guinean midfielder would move to Anfield at the end of the 2017/18 season.

However, recent speculation suggested that die Roten Bullen could be persuaded into letting Keita leave the club during the winter transfer window.

"Even if we should not reach the knockout stages of Champions League, it would make no sense to allow Naby to join Liverpool earlier," said RB Leipzig sporting director, Ralf Rangnick.

"We want to qualify for Europe again, and we need Naby for that."

Leipzig have won just one Champions League game this season, with defeats to FC Porto and Besiktas making progression to the knockout stages a difficult task this year.

Following their impressive maiden season in the Bundesliga, in which RB Leipzig finished ahead of Borussia Dortmund, the Red Bulls will be desperate to make sure their Champions League status continues next season.

The 22-year-old has struggled to replicate the incredible form he showed last year since the announcement of his move next summer.

Questions about Keita's disciplinary record have also arisen this season, the midfielder seeing three red cards for club and country in less than one month.