Yesterday this site pointed out that a renewed press campaign seemed to be in the offing to unsettle Virgil Van Dijk, that seems to be the case as yet more subtle and not so subtle stories appear in the media.

Liverpool are a football club who have many friends in the media, they are also a club to whom their ex players and legends remain close to, so when they start commenting in the media you can bet your bottom dollar that they only do so if they are sure what they are saying will not upset Liverpool Football Club hierarchy.

They would not dare say something that would incur the wrath of LFC, hence you rarely see them comment on anything controversial involving the Liverpool team.

In fact it is assumed that LFC use the likes of Ian Rush and John Aldridge to say the things that they would like to but can't do so. They are all people who continue to live locally on Merseyside, they are also prominent in the Merseyside media.

So when John Aldridge blatantly encourages Virgil Van Dijk to force a move from Southampton by going on strike, it is easy for the neutral to assume that he is doing so with direct briefing from Liverpool, perhaps that is incorrect, but that is what not only Saints supporters but neutrals are thinking.

Aldridge who is a regular contributor to LFC TV, the club's official TV channel and therefore on the pay roll at Anfield makes the astonishing claim that the transfer to Liverpool could be revived if Virgil Van Dijk puts pressure on Saints to allow him to leave.

Quoted on Sundayworld.com Aldridge says.

"Tapping up goes on all the time in the game and even if Liverpool went a bit far in their pursuit of Van Dijk before they spoke to Southampton, I don’t believe this transfer story is dead in the water,"

"Van Dijk needs to make the next move and I reckon he will tell Southampton that he wants out and he wants to go to Liverpool.

"Players and their agents hold all the power these days and if he says he won’t kick another ball for Southampton and demands a move, it will happen."

"I don’t like the way the game has gone in some ways and players can hold clubs to ransom if they want a move and big money offers are coming in, but that the way of the world now.

"Let’s look at the facts here: Southampton paid £13m for this guy a couple of years ago and they could end up making a profit of around £40m on him.

"I believe Celtic have a sell-on clause in the contract that will give them a handy sum of cash, but Southampton will be in the money and the cash they get from selling Van Dijk could give their new manager a massive transfer kitty to work with.

"So I still see this transfer happening one way or the other and I certainly hope it does because I’d like to have seen a little more movement from Liverpool in the transfer market this summer."

This is seemingly yet another own goal by Liverpool and Saints could be heading straight back to the Premier League, although Aldridge was not speaking on LFC TV, being a contributor and as such a club employee and certainly one that would be close to the likes of Kenny Dalglish a former colleague still at the club, Saints would have a fair case for suggesting that this is at the behest of someone in the Liverpool hierarchy.

Certainly Aldridge would not make this sort of comment without some sort of official blessing, given the position that Liverpool are in with regard to tapping up players at other clubs, as I say ex Liverpool players do not cross their former club they only seek to help it.

Certainly Sundayworld.com were in no doubt as to the message, their headline of "Van Dijk may go on strike" actually suggests that Aldridge had told them the player was considering it. Certainly their inference of the interview suggests that they thought Aldridge was In The Know.

Their byeline of.

"Liverpool goal scoring great John Aldridge believes Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk holds all the power as he looks to force through a move to Anfield. "

This could be construed as incitement.

I would think that Saints are privately fuming in the last 24 hours as they watch a press campaign once again gathering speed, perhaps Liverpool launched the last one as they were confident, nay arrogant that they had their man in the bag and Saints would back down, now it seems they are not confident but desperate.

Photo: Action Images

fatcracker added 13:09 - Jun 21 This entire article is loaded with accusations by your good self, giving a very one sided point of view and bad mouthing LFC, if the player in question wants to leave then he'll go and there's nothing your comments or anyone else can do about it, in my opinion the board at Southampton have made it very clear their in it for the money and that trophies are of secondary importance, so let VD move and and play for a club who have ambition and a very commendable history, lets face it the richest of clubs have always preyed on the less richer clubs and now things are changing for the better for everyone including Southampton!

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1885_SFC added 13:11 - Jun 21 There's only Kenny Dalglish, Ricky Tomlinson and John Bishop left before we get a full house of scousers encouraging van Dijk to demand a move from the Solent to the Mersey. Let me guess; tomorrow's Press will carry a 'Come to Anfield' quote from Ken fooking Dodd...
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bstokesaint added 13:16 - Jun 21 I think they’re still smarting from their last b*********. I’d like to think that captain VVD is better than this, but then we all lifelong Saint Adam Lallana’s true colours. My only real hope is that VVD is comfortable where he is and doesn’t rush into any move. Let’s be honest he has every opportunity to go one of the biggest clubs in the world and Liverpool just aren’t that club these days.

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SanMarco added 13:22 - Jun 21 Come on fatcracker - of course your 'realism' cannot be denied and if the man wants to go to the bigger club he will go (e.g. Suarez to Barca and Torres to Chelsea) but none of that makes Liverpool's behaviour anything other than underhand, The article is certainly bitter (you are poaching our best player) but it is fair on the morals (you are doing it in an immoral way). In my view unless the rules on 'tapping up' illegal approaches/unsettling players are properly enforced they might as well be got rid of. The biggest joke of all is that as long as VVD plays his cards right (or others play them for him as the article explains) then he will get a huge pay-out from Saints as part of the deal. Even Lallana never 'formally' requested a transfer - it would have cost him money...

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pintsizedsaint added 13:27 - Jun 21 I don't think there is much anyone can do about that. John Alderidge (or any other ex-liverpool player currently in the media) are not official representatives of the club. In fact, it is their right to free speech and we shouldn't be trying to implicate that such speech should be censored. Yes - its not helpful from a SFC fan perspective, but we have to remember that its just an ex-player giving his opinion in the media. It bears no weight or significance to the whole situation. Given that VVD is a grown man with his own advisers, i'm pretty sure he's got his own view and it won't be influenced by whatever tripe is thrown out on Talksport Radio. Let's remember the facts here. SFC are not willing to sell. John Aldridge and all the others can harp on about player power - just like they did when Sadio Berhanio wanted to leave - but VVD is 1 year into a 6 year contract. If he was to go on strike, SFC could dig their heels in and that will get VVD nowhere: he will not play in the EPL, and so will go down the pecking order for his national team. SFC could even start issuing financial penalties if he refused to play - so hitting his pocket. And even if this went on for a season, he would still be 2 years into a 6 year contract... As i've said before - VVD needs to look at what happened to Berhaino - it's spooky. Clubs like West Brom are standing up because - if they don't - then these bullying tactics will just get worse. At the end, West Brom cut their losses - but Sadio was the clear loser of that. If VVD wanted to engage in a stand off, he is likely to face a similar predicament. And let's face facts - Liverpool's ex-players are annoyed that a club like SFC have stood their ground on this. They are trying to force the issue - which is a bullying tactic. But, when you look at it, it's because they are anxious at what this new reality is telling them: that clubs aren't going to roll over. Perhaps the playing field is beginning to shift a bit?

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BoondockSaint added 13:31 - Jun 21 As much as it angers me, I can't really argue with what Aldridge says-it's the way the game is in a non salary cap situation. The worrying part is the "...massive transfer kitty to work with" ---Will the Saints spend it?
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darthvader added 13:34 - Jun 21 Yes should just say phuck off Liverpool .he's not for sale and if he was it wouldn't be to them .sick of this now .
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darthvader added 13:34 - Jun 21 *Les
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DPeps added 13:40 - Jun 21 If VVD has any sense he'll look at what's happened to other 'top' defenders who have gone to LFC in the last few years. He's better off staying with us for another year at least. Then, as long as he stays fit, I'm sure that the best teams in Europe will come knocking
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SaintNick added 14:10 - Jun 21 Fatcracker, of course it is a one sided view I am a Saints supporter, I havent really bad mouthed liverpool I have merely just mentioned the things that Liverpool have owned up to, they have admitted tapping up Van Dijk. In your opinion the board have made it clear they are in it for money ? what makes you think that, the fact that Liverpool and other clubs prised players away when their contracts had run down probably. The reality is that now Saints have players under long contracts, they can turn down approaches as they dont need the money, we have a track record of doing so, we refused to let Schneiderlin & Wanyama to go for instance. We would prefer to win trophies than just make money, however we are so successful at finding and developing players we get preyed upon. Why should we just let VVD go just so he can play for a club who have ambition and a commendable history ? when Liverpool didnt want him two years ago he was happy to sign a six year contract, what has changed , Oh he is being tapped up . Yes Liverpool have a very commendable history, that comes from someone who has roots on Merseyside going back nearly two hundred years and who have supported the club since its formation. However its reputation as an honourable club is going downhill fast, the likes of Shakly and Paisley would turn in their graves if they saw the way that those in charge are running it these days, Liverpool used to lead in being a club with ethics and morals, these days it brazenly flaunts its arrogance. It pains me to say it but if I was VVD I would be going to at least four other clubs in England before Liverpool probably five and I would be looking at several abroad, but its money that is being dangled. If Liverpool want Van Dijk come to us the proper way and pay the price we ask

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GeordieSaint added 14:24 - Jun 21 I loved it when Dave Beasant saved his penalty in the cup final and I loved it when Raheem Sterling went to City because he had a chance of winning the league.
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Quinn1979 added 14:29 - Jun 21 Does anyone remember what happened when Victor Wanyama tried to kick up a fuss about not being able to leave, and threatened to do similar to Aldridge is suggesting Virgil do now? Koeman said in a press conference, and I shall paraphrase here, "The player knows that would be a bad thing." The inference everyone, well me for one and perhaps Wanyama himself, is that Saints were prepared to have Wanyama sit on the bench and waste his opportunities and ultimately his career. Given how Saints are run I am thinking that his is as much the club's policy as it is Konman's. So I do not see it as a completely unrealistic outcome that should Virgil kick up a fuss and refuse to play then Saints would let him rot. His got five years left on his contract, so where is he career going to be when he is 30 having not played for 5 years? Will Liverpool want to sign him, for free, then? So he signed for Saints two years ago from Celtic on a two year deal. After the first year of that deal he signs a new 6 year contract. Why sign that contract if within a year you are going to try for a move? He was an instant success in the PL so it was always probable that he would be courted by other clubs, so why sign such a long contract? He could have refused then and Saints would have sold him in January or he could have been a free agent now to sign with whoever he wanted. But he signed that contact. Unless his working conditions have changed, or his employers are not making steps to change that. Saints are still in the PL, Saints almost won the EFL trophy if it had not been for injuries to the likes of Virgil himself, Saints might not have qualified for the Europa League again but have sacked Puel and are in the process of replacing him to achieve that again. So not much as changed in VVD's working conditions. What this all comes back to is that Liverpool are smarting because Saints stood up to them, that things did not go their way. It is unprofessional comments from ex-moustachioed Scouse strikers, and all the other means of 'tapping up' that are designed to unsettle a player to force a move. It has happened many times in recent years. It would be a bold statement by Saints to refuse to sell him despite offers between 50 to 70 million or indeed more. As while that is alot of money, even in football terms, do Saints really need it? Saints are unlikely be spending say 30 million on a single player, given that the current record signing, Boufal 17million, is only a couple more than the 15 million for Gabbiadini and not far from the usual 10-14 million Saints spend on first team players. So I think that his is about more the money.

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IWOZTHERE added 14:55 - Jun 21 I read the headline and started by calling Aldridge something like a 'flipping Liverpudlian of uncertain parentage'. That said, the headline, your headline, and other scouse 'rag' headlines, are far more inflammatory than the actual article, even though you may be right that it is somehow 'sponsored' by the club. Let's have it right?...This in no way excuses the general behaviour of the horrible scouse *****.

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ThereIn76 added 15:09 - Jun 21 Can anyone see the day when Aldridge stands up for a Liverpool player going on strike to force a move? Me neither.
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Jesus_02 added 15:27 - Jun 21 LFC need to be "bad mouthed" because the way run the club is despicable. Not bad mouthing the fans, they are always in a difficult position but they need to pour their scorn on their club rather than blaming others. It’s not just the way that they have treated us it’s about the culture surrounding the club. Talk to the locals around Anfield whose streets and corner shops have been “tinned up” to get their houses on the cheap and develop the stadium. Ask them if they should be spending 60m on VVD. The culture of arrogance is such that Jamie Carragher can openly say: “Only person at Liverpool who should apologise is the person who fed the story he wanted to come to LFC” and “ I know it’s against the rules, but it’s a case of not getting caught – maybe Liverpool have been caught.” Then confirm his own implication by saying: “I got a text message at around 4 o’clock on Tuesday or Wednesday, saying: there’s going to be an announcement on Van Dijk in about an hour’s time...” Steven Gerrard the current Under 18s Coach can say (even after the apology) “It will cost us a few more quid but I think he is a piece of the jigsaw that would be very welcome and very big for this team.” The Club is a disgrace to its supporters and to the Premier League

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redandwhitedee added 15:57 - Jun 21 If he wants to go - sell him - for the premium that his 6 year contract commands.. Take the money and continue to build the Southampton project. The harsh reality is that we will not progress further without serious additional income (we cannot compete consistently for a top 6/7 place on low shirt sales & crowds of 31k alone !!). VVD is a genuinely outstanding/world class player and actually i believe irreplacable like-for like, but in meantime I'm still happy with Stephens & Yosh - with maybe Chambers coming back as back-up. More important for me is to keep Bertrand and Cedric. Oh - and i'm not happy to see Clasie linked with a move away. That guy just needs a decent run in the team. He will still prove to be a top player. All it takes is an injury to Davis and suddenly we are crying out for Clasie.

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Lazz added 16:46 - Jun 21 Fatcracker why don't you fat off back to Liverhampton
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IWOZTHERE added 20:04 - Jun 21 Quinn,while I support a stand, are you really naive enough to think that the club will turn down the £50+m and pay him about £4m a year for him to sit on his arse, while his value diminishes. On principal I really wish we could, but It won't happen.
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Crodney999 added 09:11 - Jun 22 Shloud VVD go on strike he will be in breach of contract. The comments made by John Aldridge are clearly an inducement to VVD to brake his contract with Saints. That is an actionable act which might entitle Saints to sue JA for damages. Perhaps such a threat would shut him up, along with others. My feeling is that Saints must stand firm and keep him even if he does go on strike. Don't give in to this unscrupulous behaviour.

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SaintBrock added 09:51 - Jun 22 It wouldn't be at all surprising if Paul MaCartney & Ringo Starr get together and realise a single titled "Virgil in the Sky with Diamonds". After all they are all on something or other up there that causes such delusions.
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