It was on June 7 that Liverpool released their startling statement apologising to Southampton for speculation surrounding Virgil Van Dijk and ending ‘any interest in the player’.
Reading between the lines, Liverpool may have harboured hopes that ultimately a deal for Van Dijk could be reprised later in the window. But taken at face value, it left 85 days for Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool’s recruitment team to pinpoint and pursue an alternative option to reinforce central defence.
Clearly it was an area of the team identified as in need of strengthening. Klopp had by widespread belief met Van Dijk, convincing the Dutchman of Anfield’s allure, and Liverpool were ready to commit £60million at a stage in the summer before money lost all meaning.