Liverpool ready to go head-to-head with Manchester City for Virgil van Dijk with battle set to re-ignite in January

LIVERPOOL are bracing themselves for a tug-of-war with Manchester City over long-term target Virgil van Dijk.

The Reds failed to prise the central defender away from Southampton in the summer when Saints complained of an illegal approach.

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But boss Jurgen Klopp is a keen admirer of the Dutchman and is looking to sign him in January. It won't be plain sailing, though.

City are facing a defensive injury crisis and the runaway Premier League leaders are thought to looking at 26-year-old Van Dijk to see them through.

According to, Pep Guardiola wants either van Dijk or Real Sociedad’s Inigo Martinez.

Guardiola has John Stones and Vincent Kompany both sidelined, leaving just Eliaquim Mangala and Nicolas Otamendi as options.

 

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Liverpool thought they had landed van Dijk in the summer

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It will be up to Klopp to test Southampton's resolve six months after they ran into trouble when they tried to sign Van Dijk initially.

The player himself might prefer Anfield to the Etihad because he will most likely get more game time given Liverpool's defensive woes.

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Klopp truly needs a tried and tested centre-half who is also a good decision maker in the light of several back four bloomers this season.

Guardiola has had Real Sociedad defender Martinez, 26, watched for most of this season - and he could come into the reckoning.

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He is believed to have a £29 million release clause in his contract.

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And Martinez an also fill in at left-back which could be important with Benjamin Mendy out until April at the earliest.

Guardiola decided to move for a new centre-back after Vincent Kompany suffered yet another setback at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Stones is also sidelined with a hamstring problem - although he hopes to get the green light to step up his return next week.