Liverpool Transfer News: Virgil van Dijk Trains Alone as Exit Rumours Swirl

Southampton's Virgil van Dijk has been told to train alone after informing the Saints he wishes to leave the club.

According to Adam Leitch of the Southern Daily Echo, the Dutchman told new manager Mauricio Pellegrino he is ready to leave after interest from Liverpool.

The player has been left out of Pellegrino's pre-season plans after the coach confirmed the latest situation, per Leitch.

Pellegrino said: "The boy said that he is not available to play because he wants to leave. This is the decision. I had to say 'if you don't want to be involved because you don't feel OK then you have to train alone until this period of time happens.'"

Graham Read of the Daily Express recently reported the defender is a target for Arsenal after Liverpool's long-term interest in his acquisition.

Per Leitch, Pellegrino added:

"My relationship with Virgil is excellent. I was clear with the boy, and I was talking from the first day with him. The club was clear. The club told me they will not sell Virgil. I translated the idea of the club to the player and for me it was easy because I had to manage the dynamic of the team. Now he is not involved with the team because psychologically he is not 100 per cent. If you are not 100 per cent with the team I need to work with the players who are 1000 per cent to defend Southampton. It's easy for me."

Simon Peach of the Press Association confirmed that Van Dijk was not for sale, noting that the same reluctance to sell was keeping right back Ryan Bertrand in the fold at Southampton as well. 

The 26-year-old is now widely regarded as one of the best centre-backs in Europe, and his potential availability will alert a number of teams.

Van Dijk featured in 27 games for Southampton in the Premier League and Europe last term, according to WhoScored.com.

Liverpool need to find a leader at the back in the coming weeks, and the news of Van Dijk's intention to leave the south coast will please the Anfield giants.