VAN CALL TO KLOPP
VIRGIL VAN DIJK has put Jurgen Klopp on alert by hinting he is ready to launch a fresh push to leave Southampton in January.
Rebel Van Dijk, 26, tried desperately to force through a £70m move to Liverpool in the summer but Saints refused to sell.
The Dutch defender (left) has only just returned to the starting line-up at Southampton but said: “I have no regrets. Halfway through the season, maybe we can see what’s possible.”
Van Dijk’s comments will enrage Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino, who stripped him of the armband and made him train alone after handing
in a transfer request. The centre-back made his first Premier League start after eight months out with an ankle injury in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Stoke. Van Dijk, who is on international duty, added: “Of course, I wanted to make a step up, but Southampton did not want to sell. But you’re a professional, so now I’ll give everything to the club.” Saints threatened to report Liverpool to the FA for tapping up Van Dijk after he allegedly met Klopp in Blackpool.
Klopp still wants Van Dijk to shore up his leaky defence.
Liverpool are seven points behind the leaders after just one win in their last four Premier League games.
But ex-skipper Steven Gerrard says they will thrive against Manchester United and Tottenham this later this month.
He said: “Since Jurgen has come in they are the games where Liverpool seem to prove everyone wrong and put in top-class performances.
“I think their record against the top sides is the best.”