Liverpool transfer news: Virgil van Dijk is to blame for failed move - Mark Ogden

VIRGIL VAN DIJK is to blame for his failed move to Liverpool this summer, according to ESPN journalist Mark Ogden.

Virgil van Dijk shows off his defensive skills

Van Dijk was linked with a move to Liverpool throughout the summer and handed in a transfer request at Southampton at the beginning of August.

However, Southampton stood firm and refused to sell the Dutchman before the window shut last night.

Van Dijk will now have to be reintegrated into the Saints squad, after training with the Under-18s since pre-season.

Ogden says he should not have signed a new contract at St Mary’s last year if he was thinking of leaving the club.

Liverpool transfer newsESPN

Liverpool transfer news: Virgil van Dijk is to blame for his failed move, says Ogden

He would have made Liverpool a better team, I think he would have made Chelsea a better team

Mark Ogden on Liverpool target Virgil van Dijk

“This shows the market that it is,” Ogden said on ESPN FC.

“I suppose he’s the best central defender available who does what he does. 

“He would have made Liverpool a better team, I think he would have made Chelsea a better team as well. 

“But he signed a big long-term contract, a six-year contract, last season. 

Virgil van Dijk Liverpool newsESPN

Liverpool transfer news: Virgil van Dijk should not have signed a new Saints contract, says Ogden

“If you sign a contract like that without a buyout clause, you’re kind of forcing yourself to stay. 

“He’s only got himself to blame really, because you don’t sign a long-term contract and then expect to be sold next summer. 

“So he maybe has to take a look at himself. 

"He took a pay rise at Southampton but maybe he should have waited a bit longer and made him easier to sell himself.”

Van Dijk has not played for Saints since January, with an ankle injury ruling him out of the second half of last season.

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