Jurgen Klopp Reportedly Messaged Virgil van Dijk Often Amid Tapping-Up Claims

Liverpool managed Jurgen Klopp reportedly messaged Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk "regularly" after flying him to Blackpool for a meeting. 

That's according to the Mirror's John Cross, who reported the Saints have accused the Reds of "tapping up" the Dutchman and are set to report them to the Premier League.

Liverpool are said to have attempted to convince the defender to move to Anfield this summer.

Tapping up—in which a player or his representatives speak to another club without permission from his own—is a breach of Premier League regulations, and if Southampton can prove Liverpool's wrongdoing, the club could face a large fine or even a transfer embargo, according to Cross.

Liverpool are interested in a £60 million move for Van Dijk, who has also attracted interest from the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal, but while Anfield was seemingly his destination of choice, the move is now in real jeopardy.

Sky Sports' Kaveh Solhekol noted Klopp was an important factor in Van Dijk choosing Liverpool:

However, the Reds have only dealt with the player and his camp and not Southampton, per the Telegraph's Jeremy Wilson:

Cross added Southampton now "insist van Dijk will not be sold and look to be ready to make it a point of principle."

Liverpool have used Southampton as their favourite shopping destination in recent years having signed no fewer than five players from them, with first-team regulars Sadio Mane, Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana and Nathaniel Clyne all bought from St. Mary's, as was Rickie Lambert.

While returning there once more is perhaps a little uninspiring from the club, Van Dijk would make a fine addition to their side and would address one of the major concerns in their defence.

Their task of signing him has now been made much more difficult, so the Reds may need to look elsewhere to reinforce their team this summer.