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Liverpool remain “confident” of landing Virgil van Dijk

Virgil Van Dijk

Liverpool remain “confident” of landing Virgil van Dijk despite his manager Claude Puel saying he will still be a Southampton player next season.

Reds’ boss Jürgen Klopp is desperate to add the 25-year-old centre-back to his squad in the summer and the £50million valuation isn’t putting him off.

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Speaking yesterday, Puel said: “Virgil had a bad injury, but now it’s okay, his surgery is finished and he can work normally and go into the gym for rehabilitation and come back next season with us … with us!

“He’s our captain and he’s important for us. He has matured and taken leadership on the team. He’s a fantastic player we know well.

“He’s important for us and now, of course, we will wait to the beginning of the season to see him on the pitch with Southampton.

“He has a long contract and the directors will want to keep him.”

Despite Puel’s comments, reports today suggest that Klopp remains “confident” of landing the player providing Champions League qualification is secured.