Report: Liverpool suspends Naby Keita pursuit until next year

Liverpool has reportedly given up hope of signing Naby Keita from RB Leipzig this summer.

Instead, the Merseyside outfit is planning to revive talks with Leipzig next summer after a series of bids failed to convince the German side to sell Keita, according to The Telegraph's Chris Bascombe.

Liverpool was apparently discouraged over the prospect of luring the 22-year-old to Anfield after Leipzig rejected a bid worth £66 million - a figure the Reds are not willing to increase and one that would have shattered the team's club transfer record.

Related: Red Bull boss confirms Leipzig spurned Liverpool's €75M Keita approach

Delaying its pursuit could prove to be financially beneficial for Liverpool - whose initial bid was reportedly worth £57 million - since a £48-million release clause in Keita's contract takes effect next year.

Manager Jurgen Klopp voiced his frustration over the matter Thursday, calling Leipzig "lucky" and comparing the club's perceived good fortune to the circumstances he faced while in charge at Borussia Dortmund.

"They don't have to sell players. When I was at Dortmund we always had to sell players," Klopp said, according to ESPN FC.

"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."

The German manager should at least be able to relate to Leipzig's unwillingness to part with a star player, however, as reports suggest Liverpool is prepared to reject offers for Barcelona target Philippe Coutinho.