RB Leipzig coach Ralph Hasenhuttl believes that if the club do not qualify for the Champions League again next season then keeping stars such as Liverpool target Naby Keita could be mission impossible.
Liverpool have been linked with launching a big money bid to sign Keita, who RB Leipzig are claimed to value at around £50m, but Hasenhuttl has given no indication the midfielder will be leaving.
RB Leipzig finished second in the Bundesliga this season, meaning they will be playing Champions League football next term – and Hasenhuttl feels they simply must repeat the trick next term to keep hold of their key men, in a sign he expects Keita to stay.
"If we do not qualify for the business of Europe next season, it will be harder for us to keep players like Keita or [Emil] Forsberg", the coach told Bild-Zeitung.
"We are aware of this", he added.
relatedNewsStory
Hasenhuttl, 49, is wary of the impact playing in the Champions League could have on RB Leipzig's Bundesliga form and is desperate for his players to get the balancing act right.
"Games in the Champions League must not lead to the fact that we can be beaten in the Bundesliga.
"It's on the daily business we are measured."
Keita, 22, made 31 appearances in the Bundesliga for RB Leipzig this season, scoring eight goals and providing his team-mates with eight assists, as the club became Bayern Munich's main competitors.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is mooted to be a firm fan of the midfielder and is eyeing taking him to Anfield ahead of the return of Champions League football to the club next term.
If Keita does make the move and Liverpool navigate the playoff round, he could meet former club RB Leipzig in the competition.
