Virgil van Dijk warns Southampton he may seek move to Liverpool in January transfer window
Saints defender blocked from leaving the club last summer despite refusing to play and says things may still happen mid-season even though he has returned to starting line-up
VIRGIL VAN DIJK has risked a new stand-off with Southampton after warning he could still try to quit the club in January.
Van Dijk has only just returned to favour at St Mary's after he tried to force through a move to Liverpool in the summer.
The centre-back was left training with the youth team after refusing to play for the club in an effort to secure a transfer to Anfield.
Van Dijk only started his first game this season for Saints in their 2-1 defeat to Stoke on Saturday after finally winning back the favour of boss Mauricio Pellegrino.
But now the 26-year-old has suggested he could still look to secure a move away from the south coast when the transfer window re-opens in January.
Speaking to Fox Sports, Van Dijk said: "I have now regrets.
"Halfway through the season, maybe we can see what is possible.
"I'm glad I'm fit again and I can give up to 100 per cent.
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"Of course I wanted to make a step up but Southampton did not want to sell me.
"But you're a professional, so now I'll give everything to the club."
Liverpool had made Van Dijk their number one transfer target last summer and thought they had done enough to secure a £60million deal.
But when details of their talks with the player emerged, Saints launched a complaint with the Premier League claiming an illegal approach had been made.
That forced Liverpool into an embarrassing public apology, where they also agreed not to pursue their interest in the defender unless Saints decided they wanted to sell.
Jurgen Klopp then went into the new season without signing a top class defender - and the side have looked fragile at the back as a result.
A series of defensive blunders have led to the team conceding throughout the season, and Klopp is more aware than ever that he needs to bring in a new player.
With Liverpool's need now far more urgent, Van Dijk's apparent openness to a mid-season move could well force Liverpoiol to renew their interest.