Liverpool Reportedly Want Southampton's Permission Before Virgil van Dijk Bid

Liverpool will reportedly wait until they get a go-ahead from Southampton before making an offer for their defender Virgil van Dijk. 

As noted by Mike Keegan of the Daily Mail, the Reds were reported to the Premier League by the Saints over an approach made for the Dutch centre-back, prompting an apology from the Merseyside club and an insistence they had ended their interest in the player.

"Sportsmail understands that, since the apology, Liverpool officials have been in touch with their counterparts at St Mary's in a bid to repair the relationship between the two clubs," said Keegan. "They are thought to be wary of the damage a bid may cause and will not lodge an offer unless they are invited to do so by Southampton."

As noted in the report, Van Dijk has been training on his own with the Saints in pre-season having informed new manager Mauricio Pellegrino that he is ready to leave the club. "The boy said that he is not available to play because he wants to leave," the new Southampton boss said, per Keegan.

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Per Sky Sports, the 26-year-old has also been left out of the squad for the team's training camp in France.

It appears Van Dijk is desperate to leave the south coast, and despite the tension between the two clubs, Liverpool still remain the favourites to get him on board. However, according to Bleacher Report's Dean Jones, Chelsea are also interested in signing the player:

The Reds may have been exciting going forward last season with the likes of Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino, but their brittle defensive play let them down.

Van Dijk would make a huge difference. The former Celtic man is a colossal presence at the back, as he bosses aerial battles, wins tackles with ease and is constantly alert.

The defender looks ready to take a step up, and sports journalist Keith Costigan can see why the centre-back may be a little miffed:

Liverpool's chase for the player will have left a bitter taste at St Mary's, and with that in mind, the Reds may have to wait a long time until they get the nod.

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If they were able to get the deal over the line, it could be one of the most significant signings the club has made for many years. Liverpool have long needed a marquee acquisition at the back, and as an outstanding, proven defender in the Premier League, Van Dijk ticks those boxes.

Typically, a player in this situation will get their way, and Saints have regularly cashed in on their top talent down the years. However, if the Reds are going to get this one done, you sense it'll be far from straightforward.