The press are again starting the rumblings of how Liverpool are certain to complete the signing of Virgil Van Dijk in January, but the question is whether Jurgen Klopp will still be there to do it.

The reason leaked to the press in the summer about why Virgil Van Dijk was desperate to join Liverpool over a raft other clubs, all seemingly in a better position than the Anfield club to provide him with a shot at winning trophies, was not about money but was that the player himself was desperate to play under Jurgen Klopp.

Now the rumour mill is up and running again with a full two months to go before the transfer window is open and it seems the same old faces, mainly Liverpool connected are saying the same old things about Van Dijk going to Liverpool being a certainty in January.

But it may not be as clear cut as they would have you believe, especially since the man who Van Dijk apparently so much admires might not be at Anfield himself come January but might be joining Ronald Koeman in the Liverpool Dole Office.

Certainly Liverpool have had a tumultuous summer transfer window, with Van Dijk desperate to go to Anfield and Philippe Couthinho just as desperate to leave, the end result was that nothing changed at Anfield and that is part of the problem for Klopp, tactically he is now seen as naive.

His record when compared to previous Liverpool managers from their first games at the club is worse than most and if that is not a concern their is worry not just amongst the Kop faithful but in the boardroom that his transfer strategy is flawed.

Put a 10 year old in the Anfield boardroom and he would tell them that Liverpool need at least two central defenders and a goalkeeper, yet Klopp failed to sort that problem out in the summer, throwing all his eggs in one basket with Van Dijk and not having a plan B when that failed, many crtics are saying that given the problems in that area that Klopp should have been looking for a signing to play alongside Van Dijk anyway so to fail to land even one central defender was pure folly.

But Van Dijk aside Klopp chased strikers again, Salah, Solanke and Oxlade Chamberlain arrived to join, Coutinho, Firmino, Lallana, Lallana & Sturridge, not to mention Danny Ings.

This gives Liverpool awesome firepower, 9 proven Premier League strikers are available to Klopp, but as was shown at Spurs on Sunday or at Man City and Watford, that is no use if goals are being leaked at the other end.

Klopp is now under scrutiny as to why he hasn't addressed the real problems at Liverpool but naively gone for a solution that involves scoring more than is conceded.

This being the case Klopp's position is starting to look dodgy at Anfield, the odds on him being the next Premier manager to go are slowly creeping down and there is a feeling that if results don't improve he could be gone before January.

Indeed a crunch game could be Saints visit to Anfield in November should we in that one then the Liverpool support could turn on him having seen Van Dijk in action.

So undoubtably Liverpool will resume make a move in January, but a lot could have changed snce the summer, not least Van Dijk's attitude towards moving there himself, certainly his mood towards Saints sems to be softening, on Friday he posted a message on his twitter feed saying "Ready for the weekend" alongside pictures of him in a Saints kit and the icons of a football, a tick mark and a fire system, suggesting that he is now committed to the club at least in the short term.

If Liverpool continue to missfire then there is the worry for them that Van Dijk might feel his future lies elsewhere that he has dodged a bullet in not being allowed to join them in the summer and that now there are other fish in the sea. If Liverpool fail to make the Champions League next season then the chances of Van Dijk wanting to go to Anfield will greatly diminish.

Certainly if Jurgen Klopp does leave his position at some stage this season, the main reason for his demise will be the situation surrounding Virgil Van Dijk.

Meanwhile hopefully Saints can get the best out of the Dutchman, hopefully till next summer when although he will undoubtably leave, we will have his replacement lined up from the proceeds.

Photo: Action Images

perazi added 10:15 - Oct 24 While the weaknesses in Pool's defence are real and well documented, the other graphic factor in their underwhelming performances coincide with Mane being out of the side. He (Mane) has been the player to make the Scousers tick - when he's out of the side, they look quite mediocre.
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SaintPaulVW added 10:17 - Oct 24 If they are that desperate to want him for Christmas. Front up to us and offer a world record fee. Or else I wish they would just stfu.
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SonicBoom added 10:29 - Oct 24 Well most fans I know are now saying get rid of him. Even Liverpool can have him providing they pay a premium plus the usual January premium! What we need and have always needed is for another club to make a serious bid. That will either drive up Liverpools bid, or be an option that would appease both the player and the fans.
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SaintNick added 10:41 - Oct 24 Now this is a different window, Liverpool can actually make a bid themselves without risk of being sanctioned, that could make the market more open
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saintpp added 10:58 - Oct 24 Sonic boom Acc to the UI poll 65 % of our fans say keep him and play alongside Hoedt,Those who say sell him should grow up accept he wont be ours forever but enjoy him for this season at least .He is probably the best cb i the PL.
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SanMarco added 11:16 - Oct 24 Can't we leave all this until mid-December? VVD will have an agreement with the club which will involve a time period and a minimum fee. If the time is January and Liverpool bid above the fee then off he goes. In the meantime it is all very, very boring and distracting. That's not a dig at Nick for reporting it - what choice does he have once its out there, but this stuff does suck the joy out of football.

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saintjeff52 added 13:20 - Oct 24 Nick, you’ve been ‘Brainwashed’ I see. In order for a Club to acquire the services of another Club’s Player, they have to first put in a BID for him. The Club receiving a Bid can either accept or reject such a Bid. Liverpool, ‘Back In’ for VVD, is an incorrect statement. NO CLUB, INCLUDING LIVERPOOL, HAVE TO DATE MADE A BID FOR VVD. Our Club have not had to make any decision as to the possibility of VVD moving out. Liverpool have issued a Statement stating that they have ended interest in VVD. Roll on February.

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BoondockSaint added 14:07 - Oct 24 perazi is absolutely right! The Scouse are a completely different team without Mane to score goals, keep defenders pinned back in case he gets a fast break and opening up space for other players to score-you know, like he did at Saints. But will he be back in time to save Klopp? This is just another example of the Scouse whinging when they don't get what they think they are entitled to: mentioned in the same breath as Real or Barca. They have had a lot of good managers and as soon as they think there might be a chance they will have to dwell among the unwashed of the bottom 14, they eat their own. This is all the more reason not to sell VVD to them in any window-it would solve their one major weakness and help them compete with the big teams. Let them twist. But the worry is will Les do this, or is he like VVD and looking to line up a job there?

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LordDZLucan added 14:07 - Oct 24 Thought Virgil looked so much more like his old self on Saturday against West Brom. That bodes well. Maybe our new Chinese owner shave promised him a big pay rise. Let's face it, that's what it boils down to in the end - pound notes. The supposed lure of Champions League football is just a smokescreen!
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steve73 added 16:26 - Oct 24 Overrated manager, reminiscent of Keegan at Newcastle. Exciting to watch but very beatable. Plus he's hugely annoying; the touchline antics that some (not me) used to find endearing have just got more irritating. Can he organise and coach a defence? Even if he had good players? I'm not convinced but then again I don't care that much. Lovren was absolutely majestic on Sunday 😂 I had to watch his highlights a few times, the laughter just wouldn't stop. I don't think I've ever seen a supposedly quality centre half duck under a free header like that before, priceless. If they pay Virgil's ransom and he goes there and turns that bad I'd be utterly delighted.

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sambat added 17:56 - Oct 24 Saints need to put a price of £100M on VVD. Let any team approach once they agree the money. If they won’t pay the price, go away!
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