Liverpool are still ‘hopeful’ of eventually signing Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk, be it in January or summer 2018, Liverpool Echo’s Football Editor Andy Kelly told Redmen TV.
Kelly claims that after meeting with sporting director Michael Edwards, it became clear that Liverpool wouldn’t settle for second best when it came to Jurgen Klopp’s targets – hence why we didn’t sign a central defensive alternative to the giant Dutchman.
“I think we were right to be hopeful. And I think we’re probably still right to be hopeful going forward, as we move towards January, [and the] end of the season.
“I went up to Melwood, just as the window was starting and the vibe from the club was always, and this was the message really that they wanted to seen to be coming from Michael Edwards as well, was that they weren’t going to accept second best, that Michael Edwards wanted to deliver Jurgen Klopp’s No.1 choices.
“That’s not giving away any secrets to anyone because everyone will have seen by the way Liverpool acted all window that they wanted No.1 choices.”
Liverpool though didn’t submit an official bid, as our hands were tied due to Southampton reporting us for an illegal approach back in June.
We only planned to go back in should the Saints put van Dijk up for sale; something we hoped would happen after the player handed in a transfer request – but that didn’t happen.
Now, Mauricio Pellegrino is bringing the 26-year-old back into first-team training with the hope of eventually using him in central defence again. With it being a World Cup year, van Dijk needs to play, although there’s no guarantee the Netherlands will even qualify!
SEE MORE:
Two LFC aces in Top 10 biggest shirt sellers; with controversial no.9