Virgil van Dijk is wanted by Liverpool

Rebel 26-year-old Van Dijk tried desperately to force through a £70m move to Liverpool in the summer but Saints refused to sell.

The Dutch defender has only just returned to the Saints starting line-up but said: “I have no regrets.

“Halfway through the season, maybe we can see what’s possible.”

Van Dijk’s comments will enrage Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino, who stripped him of the captaincy and made him train alone after issuing a transfer request.

The centre back made his first Premier League start after eight months out with an ankle injury during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Stoke.

Van Dijk, speaking on international duty, added: “I’m glad I’m fit again and I can give up to 100 per cent.

“Of course, I wanted to make a step up, but Southampton did not want me to sell me. But you’re a professional, so now I’ll give everything to the club.”

Saints threatened to report Liverpool to the FA for tapping up Van Dijk after he allegedly held a secret meeting with Klopp in Blackpool.

Klopp remains keen to sign van Dijk to shore up his side’s leaky defence.

Liverpool are currently stuck in seventh, seven points behind the Premier League leaders after a run of just two wins in five games.

But former skipper Steven Gerrard insists they will prove the doubters wrong in their clashes with Manchester United and Tottenham later this month.

He said: “I cannot wait for those two games because watching Liverpool since Jurgen has come in they are the games where Liverpool seem to prove everyone wrong and put in top-class performances.

“I think their record against the top sides is the best so if I was a Liverpool player or the Liverpool manager, those games can’t come quick enough.

“The league doesn’t lie, Liverpool are where they are, but what I would say is I am really enjoying watching the team at the moment.

Jurgen Klopp has been blasted for failing to sort Liverpool's defence out

“I love the manager. I think he has taken this team and the club forward. There is a lot of excitement about.

“I can see Jurgen is a little bit frustrated at the moment but so are we all.

“But we are seven games in and Liverpool are capable of going on a long run of winning games.

“With one good result or a couple of good results, they will find themselves back in the top four. I am very confident that this season can be a success.”