Liverpool transfer news: Dramatic few hours as bookies U-turn on Virgil van Dijk future

The market opened today at odds of 4/7 for Van Dijk to leave Southampton to join Liverpool.

Then, by 5.30pm this afternoon, traders at Sky Bet were spo convinced the Dutchman was on his way to Anfield they priced a move up at odds of 1/8.

That means punters would need to put £8 on the market to win just £1 back - and in layman's terms it's a dead cert.

But the price was then dramatically cut in as Sky Bet U-turned on their decision.

The odds rapidly lengthened from 1/8 to 2/5 in the space of less than two hours - suggesting bookies now think there's a fair chance Van Dijk is staying put.

The Southampton defender is desperate to leave Saints and is not short of offers.

But Mauricio Pellegrino’s side are publicly saying he won’t be sold before Thursday’s 11pm deadline despite him being exiled from the Argentine’s training regime.

Liverpool remain long-term admirers of Van Dijk and are thought to be prepared to smash their club-record transfer fee to sign him.

And according to the Independent, Van Dijk believes he still has a chance of joining Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.