Liverpool are once again back ahead in the race for Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk, according to the latest reports from Mirror. It is primarily because of manager Jurgen Klopp, as the player has reportedly claimed in his close quarters that he is a huge fan of the manager and his style of football.

Van Dijk is becoming one of the top transfer battles of the summer with Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United trying to get the signature of the player. Liverpool are also in the mix, but we are thought to have second thoughts about paying over £50 million for a defender.

Southampton will accept no less then £50 million for the player, who has been on the transfer radar of several clubs over the last 12 months. The south coast club do admit that it will be difficult to keep the player beyond the summer, as he has made his mind on a move. Van Dijk came close to leaving Southampton even during January, but a major knee injury kept him at the St Mary’s Stadium. Now, the defender is back to his full fitness.

While Chelsea will offer him the chance to play for the defending champions, Manchester City are expected to be in amongst the clubs fighting for the league title next season. Liverpool have done extremely well to qualify for the Champions League, but we are not expected to be one among the title contenders. This seemed to put us in the back seat for the signature of the player, but the latest reports emerging from the player’s camp seem to suggest a different story.

Van Dijk has revealed to his close friends that he has a huge fan of Klopp’s style of play. The intense pressing game has left Liverpool open at the back this season, but a move for Van Dijk could strengthen the defence quite significantly. The bonus of Champions League football is definitely a major advantage for the Reds. The Dutchman has been at Southampton only for the last two years. He came to English football as a £15 million signing from Celtic, but it has taken him only 18 months to create a major impact.

Southampton are set for a huge profit on the player, and they are unlikely to stand in the way of the defender going on for bigger things.