- Liverpool want Southampton to lower their asking-price for Virgil van Dijk
- Dutchman valued at £70million by Saints
- Van Dijk expected to be January target for Jurgen Klopp
- SEE MORE: Sturridge nears Anfield exit after revealing Klopp admission
Liverpool look ready to embark on another difficult pursuit of Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk when the January transfer window opens.
The Reds are expected to reignite their interest in the Dutchman having failed miserably in their efforts to acquire his services during the summer.
After becoming subject to a complaint against an alleged illegal approach for the centre-back, the club was forced to publicly apologise and consequently saw their hopes of dealing with Southampton dashed.
President Mike Gordon has since been working behind-the-scenes with Saints chairman Ralph Krueger to repair the relationship between the two clubs, presumably in the hope of reaching a position where another attempt to sign Van Dijk would be acceptable.
Liverpool undoubtedly remain interested, but will only launch a January move for the 26-year-old if Southampton lower their £70million asking price, reports the Independent’s Kevin Palmer.
The first half of the season, regardless of the team’s emphatic attacking power, has served as overwhelming proof of the desperate need for defensive reinforcements.
Between Joel Matip’s regular short-term injury absences, to Dejan Lovren’s familiar failure to convince and Klopp’s reluctance to deploy Joe Gomez as a centre-back, Liverpool have struggled for reliability, consistency and rhythm at the heart of the defence.
Though Van Dijk himself hasn’t been at his best so far this season, there’s no doubting that he improves Klopp’s back four.
Rumoured interest in West Brom’s on-loan defender Ahmed Hegazi also, however, hints that Liverpool are wisely eyeing up alternatives.
Regardless of Liverpool’s form, regardless of their league position heading into January, Klopp needs to strengthen his defence.