Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool were dealt a huge blow in their pursuit of star defender Virgil van Dijk as their efforts to sign him were deemed illegal by Southampton. Though it was revealed that the player has agreed to terms with the Anfield outfit, the Saints felt that Liverpool’s contact with Van Dijk was not permissible by the rules and they decided to ask the FA to look into the matter.
And it seems like Liverpool did do something wrong, as they have now released a statement on their official page, apologising to the St Marys outfit, also withdrawing their interest in the player. Liverpool were ready to offer £60m for his services but will now have to look elsewhere to find a partner for Joel Matip. Here are three options that Liverpool should look at after missing out on Van Dijk:
Michael Keane (Burnley):
Easily the best player to be on the move this summer in this position after Van Dijk, Keane has had a stellar season at the Turf Moor and has also been linked with a move to Anfield not so long ago. He is still 24 and learning the game, but his experience in the Premier League is sure to help Liverpool in their endeavours next season. He has all the attributes to make him a successful defender at the highest stage and Klopp should consider him if he has completely missed out on Van Dijk.
Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen):
The German international is easily one of the best young defenders available in Europe and he has constantly been linked with a move to England with a number of top clubs interested in his services. He has been in impeccable form in the Bundesliga recently and Klopp will have looked at him closely in his time at the Signal Iduna Park. At just 21, he may not yet be ready for the biggest challenges but he sure is a star for the future and a worthy expenditure for Liverpool.
Antonio Rudiger (AS Roma):
Another German star on the list is the AS Roma defender Rudiger, who is growing by leaps and bounds recently. At just 24, he has already established himself as one of the best in his country and is an important part of the national team. He is wanted by Antonio Conte but with Van Dijk slipping out of the hands, Liverpool might have to turn to this German star who wants to quit Italy due to racial abuses from the stands.
