Liverpool will try and sign an alternative centre-back next month if they fail in a fresh bid to land Virgil van Dijk, according to the Times.
The newspaper claim that the Merseysiders intend to try again for the Southampton defender in the forthcoming window as manager Jurgen Klopp aims to address his team’s defensive shortcomings.
The Times report that there is a “misconception” that Klopp has ignored the defence and that “he wanted Virgil van Dijk in the summer and will want him again in January”.
Intriguingly, it is said that the Anfield manager will have a back-up plan this time and will look to buy a different central defender if Southampton once again refuse to sell their £60million-rated prize asset.
OPINION
Liverpool fans will be smacking their lips at the prospect of a new centre-back signing in January even if his name is not Van Dijk. Southampton held firm in the face of the player’s sustained attempt to engineer a move to Merseyside over the summer, but it has done them little good. The Dutchman has played just 10 times after being initially frozen out following his return from a lengthy lay-off. Saints would be better off getting rid, and sharpening other areas of their hit-and-miss team, while Liverpool desperately need a commanding centre-back who does not get a nosebleed when the opposition have a corner. Yet, if the Saints refuse to play ball, an alternative is needed as the signs are growing that there are only a few pieces missing in the jigsaw needed to complete a trophy-winning team. Liverpool’s 7-0 demolition of Spartak Moscow last night was not only jaw-droppingly impressive, but also will have sent shivers across the teams who could face them in the Champions League last-16 stage. The addition of a blue-chip centre-back will only serve to make Liverpool more of a threat in the second half of the season.