Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino wanted to sell Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool over the summer.
That is according to The Times, who say Saints manager Pellegrino grew tired of Van Dijk's attempts to quit St Mary's.
Pellegrino 'would have happily sold Van Dijk' after the Dutchman handed in a transfer request in a bid to force through a move to Anfield.
But Southampton's board were insistent the club stood its ground and rebuffed any offers for the centre-half.
Sturridge future uncertain
Daniel Sturridge 's long-term Liverpool future is shrouded in doubt — with the Merseyside club still to open talks about a new contract.
Kop boss Jurgen Klopp is yet to be convinced that he can rely on the injury-prone England striker and the Reds are likely to wait until the end of the season before deciding whether to offer him an extended deal.
Sturridge has less than two years left on his current agreement – a stage when clubs are usually striving to tie down their top performers.
But the 28-year-old’s career has stalled since he signed a long-term deal with Liverpool in the autumn of 2014.
Keita sees red in Germany
Liverpool new boy Naby Keita has dominated the headlines in Germany for all the wrong reasons following a Sadio Mane style challenge during RB Leipzig's 2-2 draw with Borussia Monchengladbach.
Keita, 22, will arrive for a club-record £48million next summer but will have to improve his discipline following a reckless challenge on Christoph Kramer.
The Monchengladbach midfielder was forced to leave the field as the club's medical staff treated the injury.
Keita was shown a straight red card following a high boot to his face on 83 minutes and will now face a ban.