Liverpool's pursuit of RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita is proving very frustrating for German manager Jurgen Klopp.

The eccentric coach offered an update to reporters in Hong Kong yesterday, lamenting Leipzig's firm stance.

The 22-year-old Guinean would reportedly love to sign at Anfield but the Leipzig owners have no intention of selling their best players - at any price.

Signed from Salzburg last summer, Keita was a key member of the squad who secured Champions League football in their very first season in the Bundesliga.

Liverpool have reportedly seen two bids rejected and it remains to be seen if they will launch a third bid in excess of the £70m asking price.

The Reds would smash the club transfer record which was set by the recent £37m signing of Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah.

Klopp is also still chasing £70m rated central defender Virgil van Dijk but Southampton, having sold Liverpool a number of key players in recent years, are also holding a very firm stance.

Leipzig owner Dietrich Mateschitz recently reaffirmed the club’s position by suggesting Keita will be expected to “accomplish” his current contract.

Asked to respond to Mateschitz's claims, Klopp told the Liverpool Echo: ““Mr Mateschitz? What did he say? Lucky man, huh?

“They don’t have to sell players. When I was at Dortmund we always had to sell players.

“Meanwhile, they don’t have to sell players any more so, obviously, I’m always a little bit too late.

“What can I say? There’s nothing to say about this.”

A little bit bitter that he was forced to sell his best players whilst at Dortmund, Klopp appears to be losing hope in the pursuit of the Bundesliga star.

Despite their transfer market woes, goals from Dominic Solanke and Divock Origi gave Liverpool a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace in the Asia Cup to set up a final with Leicester City on Saturday.

The Reds will fly out of Asia this weekend and return to Europe in order to complete their pre-season before the Premier League campaign kicks off with a trip to Watford on August 12th.

After a special game against Hertha at Berlin's Olympiastadion to mark both clubs' 125th anniversaries, Liverpool head to Munich for the Audi Cup for a two-day doubleheader.

With each passing day it looks more and more unlikely that Keita and Van Dijk will become part of Klopp's 2017/18 squad.