Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk on Jurgen Klopp’s wishlist to replace Liverpool’s Mamadou Sakho

Liverpool are expected to offload defender Mamadou Sakho this summer and could target Netherlands international star Virgil van Dijk as his replacement, according to the Daily Mail.

The Premier League side, who easily swept aside West Ham United 4-0 at the London Stadium on Sunday to move back up to third spot in the top-flight standings, have been linked with the Southampton centre-half ahead of the 2017-18 campaign.

The 25-year-old, who has 12 international caps for his country, has scored four goals in 30 appearances in all competitions for The Saints so far this season.

Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk.

Van Dijk, who has been sidelined since late-January with a damaged ligament in his foot, arrived at St Mary’s Stadium back in September 2015 following his £13m switch from Scottish Premiership champions Celtic.

The report suggests Reds boss Jurgen Klopp could turn to the Dutchman during this summer’s transfer window, once the club have sold Sakho, with Liverpool hoping to earn £30m for his services, despite loaning him out to Crystal Palace this term.