ON THE VIRG OF GREATNESS

PELLEGRINO on VAN DIJK: Don’t boo him.. he was a five-star player for this club and he earned us a massive profit when he left

SOUTHAMPTON boss Mauricio Pellegrino has urged fans to not waste their time booing Virgil van Dijk tomorrow.

The Dutch international fled the south coast side to join Liverpool for a record £75million in January after spending the summer trying to fight his way out of Saints.

But Pellegrino (right, with Van Dijk) has told supporters to focus on supporting his side instead of jeering the big Kop defender.

The Saints chief said: “I think we have to be grateful to him. He did well for our club and we made a profit when we sold him so we have to grateful.

“Virgil is part of the past – this weekend we have to focus on our own game and what we have to do to beat this Liverpool team.

“One group of people can be grateful for him and one group of people can boo – everyone has an opinion and we have to respect that.

“But I think our fans are really respectful to our explayers. I prefer it when our fans are focused on supporting our players.

“In return our players must be focused and give the fans something to shout about.”

Dutch international Van Dijk joined Southampton from Celtic for £13million in September 2015. His move to Anfield netted Saints a £62million profit on a player who made just 67 appearances for them.

And since he forced through his exit, Saints have gone six games unbeaten in all competitions.

Pellegrino admitted that they will have to be perfect if they are to topple Van Dijk’s new club at St Mary’s tomorrow afternoon.

Pellegrino added: “Liverpool are a really tough side.

“When you play against them you have to do everything perfectly; that is the only way you can beat a Champions League team like Liverpool.

“But I think we are in good form and it’s a good time to play them.”