Liverpool transfer news: Timo Werner urged to join Reds by Naby Keita and Sadio Mane

Keita spent two seasons at Leipzig with Werner before joining Liverpool in 2018

Naby Keita has urged former RB Leipzig teammate Timo Werner to join him at Liverpool.

Keita completed a £48m switch from Leipzig to Anfield in August 2018 and wants his "best mate" Werner, who Liverpool are reported to be interested in, to do the same.

Werner, who has 23 caps for Germany, has 18 months remaining on his deal at the German club and Leipzig could cash in on the forward before his contract expires in 2020, allowing him to leave for free.

The 22-year-old has also been linked with a move to German champions Bayern Munich, but Keita and Sadio Mane want him to join them in the Premier League.

“We played really well together at Leipzig, and he was one of my best mates,” Keita told German newspaper Sport Bild.

“It’s clear: Should he move, then I ask Timo to join us here at Liverpool,” added Keita, who spent two seasons at Leipzig with Werner.

Naby Keita wants his ‘best mate’ to join him at Liverpool (Getty)

Mane echoed Keita’s pleas and said Werner is Leipzig’s best player.

Timo Wener will fit into Liverpool's style of play (Getty)

"When it was clear that Naby would join us, I often watched Leipzig matches,” he said. “But to be honest: It was dreadful for me at the start. Naby saw quite a few red cards.

“I then asked Kevin Kampl, my friend from our time at RB Salzburg, why Naby always got sent off. He didn't know. Naby missed some important games and I could watch other players more closely. And Timo stood out."

Liverpool did not make any signings during the January transfer window and have adopted a policy of recruiting players to bolster the first team squad, regardless of the price. Large transfer fees for Virgil van Dijk and Alisson have propelled Liverpool to Premier League title contenders, while the addition of Keita and Fabinho has given them a level of strength in depth like no season before.