Liverpool will not pursue a January deal for Virgil van Dijk at Southampton though his defensive partner Jose Fonte is set to leave the club.
Southampton manager Claude Puel wants two new centre-backs in January as he braces himself for offers for Van Dijk and 32-year-old captain Fonte who took to instagram on Tuesday to confirm the club would not be offering him a new contract.
Towering Dutch defender Van Dijk is understood to have a £25million release clause in his contract and has drawn attention from England's top Premier League sides with Manchester City, United and Everton all showing an interest.