Klopp hints Liverpool will not go for Van Dijk

 

 Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has suggested he has called off the club’s pursuit of Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk.

 

Klopp’s side were forced to apologise for their interest in Van Dijk earlier this summer after Southampton discovered the player had been approached without their consent. 

 

The Netherlands international is desperate to join Liverpool this summer and has even told Southampton he is prepared to go on strike in order to force through a blockbuster move.

 

However, Klopp has sensationally revealed he does not need any more centre-backs and insists there are no players on the market that would improve his current options.

 

“We have four centre-backs. I don’t think we need more,” The Daily Mirror quote Klopp as saying. “Just at the moment I’m fine. The transfer market is open until 31st of August.

 

“We cannot force things and we would never get a centre-back just because someone is available. Look out there and tell me five that would make us stronger. Then you win a prize! It’s difficult.

 

“I’m happy. You can imagine we will still work on different things and we will see if it works. I am here to work with this squad and not just always thinking, ‘but if we don’t get this or this’.”

 

 

It remains to be seen whether Liverpool would really ignore the chance to sign Van Dijk if Southampton make a u-turn and decide to cash in on their captain.

 

Van Dijk has won the most WhoScored Man of the Match awards of all defenders in Europe’s top five leagues (10) in the last two seasons.