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'Liverpool turned down chance to sign Virgil van Dijk': Brendan Rodgers reveals he wanted to bring in Dutch star from Groningen

Brendan Rodgers has revealed that he tried to bring Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool during his time at Anfield but was knocked back by the club's scouts.

Van Dijk's absence through injury had seen Southampton concede five goals in the two games prior to their shutout win at Sunderland on Saturday. In his 30 appearances prior to the ankle injury, which threatens to keep the Dutchman out until the end of the season, Southampton had kept 12 clean sheets.

That form has brought speculation that the Dutch international would be leaving St Mary's in the summer. Last week Sportsmail reported that interest in from Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester City means Van Dijk could have played his last game as a Saint.