Liverpool target van Dijk left out for Tottenham trip

Manchester City and Liverpool target Virgil van Dijk has been left out of Southampton’s squad for their Premier League clash against Tottenham.

It is the second time in successive games the 26-year-old has been omitted from the match day squad, having watched Southampton draw with Huddersfield last week from the stands.

Manager Mauricio Pellegrino said he was fit for selection on Saturday but has decided to leave him out once again amid speculation van Dijk wants to leave the St Mary’s Stadium in the January transfer window.

Virgil van Dijk has been left out of Southampton’s squad for their clash against Tottenham

The Holland international endured a fractious summer with boss Pellegrino after his proposed move to Liverpool collapsed.

The pair seemingly had put their quarrel to bed with van Dijk featuring regularly in Southampton’s defence after making his return to the side in the 1-0 away win at Crystal Palace back in September.

It's the second time in successive games he has been left out after missing Huddersfield draw

It’s the second time in successive games he has been left out after missing Huddersfield draw

 

 

But with City boss Pep Guardiola lining up a £50m move for van Dijk in the winter window and Liverpool set to revive their interest in him, van Dijk and Pellegrino have again locked horns.

The Saints boss warned the £70million-rated defender, who trained with the rest of the squad on Sunday, he is no longer guaranteed a spot in Southampton’s starting XI.

And Pellegrino has given another indication he could be prepared to cash in on the wantaway star after leaving him out of his 18-man squad for the trip to Wembley.  



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