Liverpool Not Interested in Timo Werner Amid Jurgen Klopp Contact Rumours

Liverpool are reportedly not interested in signing RB Leipzig sensation Timo Werner amid rumours manager Jurgen Klopp is in contact with his agent.

According to James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo, the Reds aren't looking to buy a striker this summer with Rhian Brewster set to be promoted to the first team, and so recruiting Werner is not on the agenda. 

Bild (h/t MailOnline's Jonathan Spencer) had said Klopp is a "huge fan" of the RB Leipzig striker and is talking to agent Karlheinz Forster, adding that Werner is targeting an exit from the Red Bull Arena.

Those claims conflict with Pearce's report and Werner's own comments regarding his future with Leipzig, however. While on international duty with Germany this past week, the 22-year-old was quoted telling Kicker, per Spencer's report:

"I did not want to clarify anything (with regards to my future), just repeat what our sporting director Ralf Rangnick has always said, that he would not let me go—even if I wanted to—in the summer anyway. 

"Ralf Rangnick says to me that I will stay, no matter what happens—as will those around me, I think we will have two or three very good new players coming in the summer."

It seems he is set to remain where he is for the time being and won't be moving to Anfield in the immediate future.

If and when he does move on, Bundesliga broadcaster Jan Aage Fjortoft said any club lucky enough to lure him would be signing a star:

Werner's contract is scheduled to expire in the summer of 2022. ESPN FC's Stephan Uersfeld recently referred to comments Leipzig director Ralf Rangnick made to Kicker regarding the player's deal: "Timo knows in any case that he right now, and also the next season, plays for us. We are already in talks to adjust and extend his contract." 

Links between Werner and Liverpool had appeared to be growing, although football writer Sam McGuire argued any suggestions of an Anfield switch could be a bargaining chip for the player:

The former Stuttgart man has scored 18 times in 37 total appearances this season, although he recently ended a seven-match Bundesliga scoring drought after netting in Leipzig's 2-1 defeat of champions Bayern Munich.

He's also hit the target against the likes of Napoli, AS Monaco and FC Porto in Europe this term, indicating he's capable of imposing himself against bigger teams.

Of all current Bundesliga players, only Bayern's Robert Lewandowski (4.2) has averaged more shots per game than Werner this term (3.1), per WhoScored.com. However, Roberto Firmino has starred in an adopted centre-forward role for Liverpool, and with 23 goals and 13 assists in all competitions this season, he has shown more than enough to remain there.

Goal's Ronan Murphy also cited quotes from another high-ranking Leipzig official, Oliver Mintzlaff, who was calm over outside interest in Werner:

Liverpool's attack has received major plaudits this season as Mohamed Salah, Firmino and to a lesser extent Sadio Mane have all impressed, but one of those would need to move for Werner to slot into a Reds XI.

As such, and with Klopp believed to be happy with Danny Ings, Dominic Solanke and Brewster as his cover options, a move this summer does not appear to be on the cards.

Werner is one of Europe's fastest-rising prospects, and Klopp may be ready to do battle to acquire his services further down the line, but the coach's priority this year is to strengthen his team in other areas.