The Southampton defender is a reported transfer target for Liverpool.
BBC pundit Chris Sutton urged the Reds to go out and make a deal for Saints centre-back Virgil van Dijk happen in January, when speaking for the BBC’s Match of the Day extra Q&A session.
Liverpool have been extremely impressive going forward this season, but their weak-link is obvious to see, with the 17 goals that they have conceded being the highest tally out of all of the teams currently inside the top eight of the division.
Jürgen Klopp was desperate to land Southampton’s Dutch ace in the summer, but failed to get a deal for the 26-year-old over the line before the transfer window slammed shut.
The Merseyside outfit comfortably swept aside the south coast outfit yesterday, with Van Dijk looking far from his best, but Sutton insisted that the former Celtic star could be the missing link for Klopp’s side.
The 44-year-old spoke for the BBC’s Match of the Day extra Q&A session last night, claiming it will be essential for the Reds to add a player of the Dutchman’s ilk to their squad in January:
“I think it’s essential that Liverpool strengthen in January, defensively. It was a good, solid performance, good win yesterday. It didn’t happen in the summer. I think Virgil van Dijk wants it to happen. It would seem to be the sensible option. Liverpool need to strengthen defensively and they need to get that one over the line.”
According to Yahoo Sport, it would take £70 million to prise Van Dijk away from St Mary’s, and if Liverpool truly want to contend for major honours, they will have to start acting like a big club, and part with some serious cash.
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