Germany striker Timo Werner has called reports that Liverpool are interested in signing him are a cause of pride, but said he must improve to earn the right to play for "the best team in the world."
Werner is under contract at Leipzig until 2023, but a release clause in the €50 million to €60m region can reportedly be triggered in the summer.
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Sport Bild reported last week that European champions Liverpool, who already boast the attacking trio of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, were interested in signing Werner at the end of the campaign.
"I know that Liverpool are currently the best team in the world and it makes you very proud to be linked to them," Werner told Viasport following Leipzig's 1-0 Champions League round-of-16 first leg win at Tottenham on Wednesday.
"I know that many good players are at Liverpool. I must improve and learn a lot of things to reach the level to play there."
The Germany international secured the important victory with a penalty, his seventh goal in the competition in a total of 13 appearances, with all of them coming away from home.
This term, he has struck four times in the Champions League and added a further 20 goals in the Bundesliga and two in the DFB-Pokal.
Werner also said Leipzig still had work to do to finish the job against Spurs, who produced a dramatic comeback win at Ajax in last year's semifinals.
"Tottenham is a good team, they showed last year that they have the mentality to come back in these games," Werner said.
Information from Reuters was used in this report
