Liverpool 'escape charge' over Van Dijk saga

Posted Thursday, June 29, 2017 by squawka.com

Liverpool will not face any action from the Premier League after Southampton accused them of tapping up Virgil van Dijk, but a move for the centre-back is now unlikely.

Southampton made an official complaint to the Premier League about Liverpool’s conduct amid widespread reports that Van Dijk had agreed a move to Anfield this summer.

A preliminary investigation, according to the Times, has found that there is not enough evidence to open disciplinary proceedings against Liverpool.

The Saints have not withdrawn their complaint but have accepted an apology from Liverpool, which was issued three weeks ago, and will not push for the League to charge the Reds.

The Premier League won't act unless new evidence is unveiled and, given that Southampton submitted all their information in their initial complaint, it seems unlikely the matter will go any further.

Such a conclusion will be of great relief to Liverpool, who were sanctioned with illegally tapping up a Stoke City academy player earlier this year, but the episode does mean it’s highly improbable that the two clubs will be able to do business over Van Dijk.

Liverpool, on their part, have never denied making an illegal approach for the Dutchman and having said in their apology statement three weeks ago that they had ended their interest in the 25-year-old, a move now seems off the table.

Liverpool 'escape charge' over Van Dijk saga
Virgil van Dijk averaged ten defensive actions per Premier League match this season

Klopp still rates Van Dijk very highly and would like to sign the defender but his bosses at Liverpool have reportedly informed him a move for the Southampton player is unrealistic.

The Saints would like to keep hold of Van Dijk but there is still interest from Manchester City and Chelsea.