RB Leipzig chief Oliver Mintzlaff admits Liverpool saw off competition from Barcelona to land Naby Keita.

Mintzlaff says Barca confirmed their interest in the Guinean star, who will move to Anfield at the end of this season in club-record deal.

Speaking to Bild, Mintzlaff confirmed that the Reds were not the only ones in the hunt.

Asked whether Jurgen Klopp's determination to get his man had been key, the Leipzig chief said: "That's right, even more so because Barcelona were also interested in Naby Keita.

"This was confirmed to us by Barcelona, but obviously they didn't try as hard as Liverpool."

Mintzlaff also confirmed that Keita had been desperate to move to Merseyside this summer.

He added: "He wanted the transfer this summer. But (sporting director) Ralf Rangnick told the team that we will not sell any players (at that time).

“This was not lip service - it was set in stone. Had we released Keita, other players might have come up with a similar idea.

“It (the Liverpool move) gave the player more security, but also left us with a significantly higher transfer fee."