Liverpool still want to sign Virgil Van Dijk.
Centre-back Virgil van Dijk is training alone in his bid to force a move from Southampton to Liverpool.
The Reds remain interested, The Mail report, and the centre-back finds himself in a tricky predicament.
He typically could ill afford to be ostracised from his club in a World Cup year, although Holland’s recent record should not influence his thinking.
Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk
Holland are third in their World Cup qualifying group and after failing to qualify for Euro 2016 they are far from guarantees to make it to Russia.
He may consider he can afford the stand-off, but the situation still favours Southampton.
The Saints have a generous early set of fixtures through August, games they can feel confident of getting results from even without Van Dijk.
They begin with home games against Swansea City and West Ham, before travelling to Huddersfield.
It is conceivable they get maximum points from these, by which time the transfer window will have closed.
Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk during training
If it gets to September and Van Dijk remains at Southampton, both parties will be forced to reconciliate.
Liverpool are hopeful of signing the former Celtic defender, but for now there appears no quick solution to the stand off.
Van Dijk is digging in and has told the Saints he wants to leave, and is not deterred by his international situation.
Southampton meanwhile hold the cards, and have shown no sign of being willing to let the Dutchman leave and Liverpool could end the summer missing out on their top target.
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