Liverpool receive major update over centre-back pursuit – report
By Abigail Withey
The Premier League will not impose any disciplinary action on Liverpool over their alleged pursuit of Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk, according to a report.
The Times claim that the conclusion was made despite the club publicly apologising earlier in the month to the Saints after being accused of tapping up the 25-year-old.
Van Dijk’s club made an official complaint to the Premier League in June when Saints were angered over reports that the their centre-back wanted to work with Reds boss Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
The Premier League undertook a preliminary investigation surrounding the issue but it has been decided that there is “insufficient evidence” to discipline the Merseyside club.
Despite Liverpool escaping punishment, Southampton bosses have not withdrawn their complaint.
The Reds faced a penalty earlier in the year from the Premier League after the Merseyside club tapped up and offered a bribe to the family of a Stoke City academy player.
After the saga, the club was banned from signing any academy players until April 2018 and the club were fine £100,000.
Klopp and fellow Anfield bosses will be relieved to have avoided punishment this time around as repeat offenders can be subjected to a complete transfer ban, which would have destroyed hopes of improving the squad this summer.
The Times claim that Klopp still has the desire to sign Van Dijk in order to strengthen his defence for the 2017/18 campaign, but Liverpool chiefs have told the German that making another swoop on the star would be unrealistic.
The Dutchman renewed his deal with Southampton last year and is contracted until 2022.
In other Liverpool news, these three players will be key to the club’s 2017/18 title campaign.
We’ve launched a << BREAKING NEWS FEED>> exclusively for your club. ‘Like Us’ on Facebook by clicking here if you want 24/7 updates on all Liverpool breaking news.