Reports claim that Liverpool’s pursuit of Southampton centre-half Virgil van Dijk is still pretty much on and this time, the right way. The Dutch centre-half has been on Liverpool’s hot list for over a year now with the Reds trying every trick in their books to secure his services. However, not only did they fail in their endeavour but their last unethical attempt had even forced them to issue an apology to the South Coast club.
Jurgen Klopp’s side has mostly been linked with forwards in the transfer market so far after they brought in Dominic Solanke from Chelsea and Mohamed Salah from AS Roma. And it had led many to question their transfer plans too, given that their fragile defence has almost cost them the season last term.
Klopp’s ultra-offensive philosophy had led to Liverpool scoring 78 goals last season, which was enough, at last, to pump them to the top four. However, it was their leaky defence that brought them vile criticism. They conceded a total of 42 goals in 38 games and most of them against weaker sides like Crystal Palace, Swansea City, Bournemouth, Hull City and more.
Klopp’s available options of Dejan Lovren and Ragnar Klavan had to take most of the blame and clearly, they didn’t look to have the quality to perform under pressure. And with Champions League football next season Klopp would definitely want more assurances at the back. In Joel Matip, he does have a disciplined general who had to single-handedly keep away big sides and with a partner like Van Dijk alongside him, Liverpool could be impenetrable.
The 26-year-old has seen phenomenal progress in the last two seasons since he moved from Scottish giants Celtic. Given the way he can read the game from the deep field, he is undoubtedly one of the best in the business in his position. According to Squawka, Van Dijk has more aerial duel and tackles combined than any other Premier League centre-half since 2015; and this remains despite him being injured for the second half of last season.
And this is reason enough for Southampton’s unwillingness to sell him. Over the years, the South Coast side had to leave some of their best talents to Premier League giants like Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott, Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw, Morgan Schneiderlin and more. Liverpool aren’t expected to have Van Dijk easy, under any condition, although the player has reportedly expressed his will to play for the Reds.
