Steven Gerrard Thinks Virgil Van Dijk Belongs At Anfield

The VVD-To-Liverpool rumours are starting to gain some steam!

Last fall there was some scuttlebutt that Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk was getting a look from Liverpool as a possible transfer target. The rumours drifted off but have resurfaced in recent days— possibly as a result of his strong performance against the Reds in the first leg of the League Cup semifinals.

Now the flames have been fanned a bit more. Beloved former captain and newly-minted youth coach Steven Gerrard gave an interview to Sky Sports on Sunday and was asked who he thought Liverpool should pursue during the transfer window.

“Who I think we need, I would go and try and bid for Van Dijk from Southampton,” Gerrard said.

Innnnnnnteresting!

While Gerrard didn’t elaborate beyond that, it’s not hard to see why Van Dijk would be a good get for the Reds. The Dutch international a solid central defender who’s put in strong performances since moving to Southampton from Celtic at the end of the Summer 2015 transfer window. He has a knack for playing up to the level of his opposition and has also shown some real leadership qualities since being named team captain for the Saints. There’s a lot he could bring to Jürgen Klopp’s side.

There’s just one problem, as Gerrard pointed out.

“But we’ve had enough of their players so that will probably go down like a lead balloon.”

Obviously he’s referring to the club’s wealth of former Southampton players— Adam Lallana, Nathaniel Clyne, Dejan Lovren, Sadio Mané, and Ricky Lambert, all in the past three years.

Van Dijk is currently questionable for the second leg of the League Cup semifinal on Wednesday after being taken off early in the second half of Southampton’s 3-0 win over Leicester City.