14 Jan 2018 08:57:59
Ralf Rangnick has clarified that there's been no contact/ discussions with Liverpool regarding Nobby transferring this January.
He goes further to say that Nobby hasn't indicated a desire to leave before end of the season and in fact is happy to see it out.
RBL's manager/ coach firms it up by categorically stating that Nobby WILL finish the campaign with the Die Rotten Bullpen. And that's it.

I guess that puts the matter to rest then, doesn't it?
RBL were adamant last season about not losing Nobby for this season. Indeed he didn't transfer (albeit a "deferred" solution agreed) .
Even now they remain adamant. Nothing has changed for them: Keita will transfer to Liverpool end of the season.

So it is in light of the above that one would do well to take with a grain of salt all the current talk of LFC and RBL negotiating to find a solution for an early exit for Nobby.
This is similar to last week's Mahrez "to join on Sunday" talk by BeinSport, then recycled by all the other media outlets.

I see no reason why a Rangnick, a chief executive, would wilfully lie and provide misinformation to his club's own supporters.
I have no reason to distrust Mr Rangnick but have all the reasons in the world and beyond to distrust the media.

Nobby may want outta RBL as in yesterday. RBL may want rid if his sight. LFC may want to bring the deal forward. However, it doesn't mean RBL's position is get rid now. It don't mean RBL and LFC are negotiating it. Truthfully, we know both clubs aren't in any sort of contact, chief executive Rangnick has made such clear.

{Ed001's Note - but it does no such thing. Clubs use intermediaries to do the deals and he has not said that those have not had any contact or discussions with RBL regarding it.}

1.) 14 Jan 2018
14 Jan 2018 09:17:40
Think the Keita deal will happen this month. RBL may not want it to, but I can see Keita forcing the issue in the next couple of days. Just look at his body language, u can tell his commitment to RBL is all but gone. He wants tha move now and we all know what happens when a player is adamant on getting the move he wants.
Its up to LFC now to offer a suitable price to get the deal done now.

2.) 14 Jan 2018
14 Jan 2018 09:30:34
I suppose the point is are we concerned we'll miss the top 4 if we don't get Keita? If we are then paying even more now makes some sense as qualifying for the CL will earn us more than paying to bring him early will cost us.

3.) 14 Jan 2018
14 Jan 2018 09:48:10
Did you notice Klopp gave it the silent treatment similar to how he handeled the PC situation before that was finalised so I'd imagine some communication between clubs about Him joining this month.

4.) 14 Jan 2018
14 Jan 2018 09:53:54
That’s the big question Putney. I have to admit, I’ve not watched much of Keita so I can’t say “ yes let’s do what we can to bring him in “. On the flip side, If he is as good as what everyone is saying then I think it would be a good idea to try and bring him to the club this month.

Not only is their financial gains there to be had by qualifying for the CL but it also helps when trying to secure new players.

We really need to be in the CL again next season.

5.) 14 Jan 2018
14 Jan 2018 09:59:39
I think the price is more than suitable for RBL already IB, if he gets the move this month I heard the total fee will be around 80 odd million. Crazy.

6.) 14 Jan 2018
14 Jan 2018 11:11:34
The fact that Klopp has paid the price in the first place and paid it a year in advance should tell us what Klopp believes he will bring to us.

7.) 14 Jan 2018
14 Jan 2018 11:17:46
Ed01

So you reckon there are talks right now? I'll take it then that there are.
I wonder then what's the purpose in club officials making "concrete" statements contrary to actual happenings.

It's interesting that this time around, Klopp nor any LFC offials categorically ruled out selling Coutihno this Jan. Rather he was noncommittal.

I don't see that putting on a "brave face/ stance" in public can be of any substantive benefit in transfer negotiations. Why not simply tell it as it is? Or say nothing at all?
I personally favour the latter.

And I like Mr Levy's approach to matters. You rarely see or hear him in public. He'll conclude whatever deal start to finish without the public show we often see from some of these executives and chairmen.

Many don't realise that sometimes the best thing you can say is actually nothing at all.
Don't respond to "rumours". Don't indulge the media.
Managers should be made to shut their trap as well.
Maybe then this bizarre, ridiculous clamour for transfer news on a minute-to-minute basis will subside.

All it does is breed and fester so called itks and fat kids from Bolton who see an opportunity to make up and peddle fake news, which these news-hungry gullibles swallow up whole.

I mean crashing a plane tracking site cause of a "rumour" that a transfer target is on board a certain flight?
Last night the RBL twiiter posts the team's line up? Guess what happens? Liverpool fans and them alone swarm all over the timeline on and on about Naby Keita?
Ridiculous.
When transfer "news" evoke emotions on a scale equal to actual competitive matches, something's not right there.

{Ed001's Note - no, I don't think anything is happening right now but Keita's reps did ask RBL if they would be willing to make a deal happen and to ask them if so to speak to LFC. I wish we would just push it through, it is doing nobody any good letting the lad stay there.}

8.) 14 Jan 2018
14 Jan 2018 12:25:14
We should push it through but i wouldn't dare let rbl take us to the cleaners on this one, we have agreed a deal for a lot of money and its in best interests for all parties to bring it forward, they are in no position to ask for another €20 million.

{Ed002's Note - RBL can ask what they want AW - he is their player.}

9.) 14 Jan 2018
14 Jan 2018 14:05:21
That makes sense then. And I'd imagine RBL would of been averse to the idea? Thing is, as much as it makes sense for Liverpool to bring him in early, does it make similar sense for Leipzig to lose him now?

He's been a knob and a real nuisance to them and they sick of him, I get that. But he's also been perfoming for the side. Leipzig are fighting for CL qualification amd for that Keita is important for them.
Also, there's (unconfirmed) talk of finishing position-based clauses in the deal, wherein Keita were to help RBL to CL qualifivation certain payments would be due. But like I said, it's uncofirmed.

If it's correct, it would explain why Liverpool would have to pay a significant amount in the possibility of the deal being brought forward.

Considering that RBL really do not need the money, how crucial can it then be in making them budge?
Maybe for them it's better having Keita help them to CL qualification instead of the money. Perhaps his importance in the these final months could be deemed to outweigh his "baggage".

It's not going to be an easy one this. Whatever me and you and everyone else sees as the "sensible" thing to do, Leipzig have shown themselves to be unyielding on their stance.
Let's hope we will be given an opportunity to persuade them though.
If we are we'll have to completely push the boat out, more than in VVD.

We'll see.

10.) 14 Jan 2018
14 Jan 2018 19:41:07
RBL you sound in denial pal.