Liverpool transfer target Virgil van Dijk does not want to play for Southampton again, says Mauricio Pellegrino

The Argentinian coach reiterated that Van Dijk will not be sold this summer and hopes to persuade the defender to stay

Virgil van Dijk is training alone at Southampton's Staplewood training ground (Getty)

Mauricio Pellegrino has confirmed that Liverpool transfer target Virgil van Dijk has no intention of playing for Southampton again, but insists that the defender will not be sold this summer.

Van Dijk, who is determined to force through a move to Anfield, has trained alone since reporting back for the new season and was omitted from a pre-season tour of France.

The 26-year-old reiterated his stance in meeting with the south coast club earlier this week, but Pellegrino harbours hopes of convincing Van Dijk to stay.

“The situation is the same. I can’t say no more, because the situation is the boy is aside of the team because he doesn’t want to play for us,” the Southampton manager said after his side’s 4-0 home defeat to Augsburg.

“I would like to bring the boy and to persuade him that he’s important for us and the club will not sell him. We are expecting the best for everyone, even for Virgil, but he doesn't want to be part of the team.”

Earlier this summer, Liverpool were forced to make an embarrassing public climb-down after Southampton accused them of making an illegal approach for Van Dijk.

The Merseyside club officially withdrew their interest in the player, fearing a potential Premier League investigation into their conduct.

Van Dijk remains intent on moving to Anfield but Liverpool must tread lightly and may only pursue a deal if given the go-ahead by Southampton.

The Saints have lost several players to Liverpool in recent years, with Rickie Lambert, Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana, Nathaniel Clyne and Sadio Mane all moving north since 2014.