RB Leipzig aren’t exactly thriving without Naby Keita and Ademola Lookman.
RB Leipzig boss Ralf Rangnick has told RB Live that his side are missing Naby Keita and Ademola Lookman, which is partly to blame for their slow start to the new Bundesliga season.
Having opened the new Bundesliga campaign with a 4-1 thrashing at Borussia Dortmund, Leipzig were expected to bounce back against newly-promoted Fortuna Dusseldorf – but they could only must a 1-1 draw at home.
One of Germany’s most controversial clubs, Leipzig are expected to kick on again this season, but there are a number of factors which may be contributing to a slow start.
Boss Ralf Rangnick is only in the job until the end of the season when Hoffenheim manager Julian Nagelsmann will take over, meaning this could be a strange prelude year leading up to Nagelsmann’s arrival.
Emil Forsberg and Timo Werner are coming off the back of disappointing World Cup campaigns, whilst Leipzig are also missing two key players from last season in Naby Keita and Ademola Lookman.
Leipzig had known for a year that Keita was heading to Liverpool having agreed a deal with the Reds last summer, but the Guinean has been a major miss in the middle of the park, even after some disciplinary issues last term.
Meanwhile, Leipzig failed to secure a permanent deal for Everton loanee Ademola Lookman after a strong end to last season, and Rangnick has told RB Live that his side are really missing the duo, with the two Merseyside clubs in some way contributing to a poor opening to the season.
“With Keita and Lookman, we had two top performers here,” said Rangnick. “It is all the more important that the others are in the best shape. Unfortunately, they are not there yet at the moment,” he added.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
