Radio Solent's Adam Blackmore has spoken to a Liverpool website and claimed that it was Liverpool's boasting about Van Dijk to Anfield being a done deal, that pushed Saints into digging their heals in and refusing to sell.

Liverpool website www.anfieldhq.com has spoken to Radio Solent's Adam Blackmore and revealed that Liverpool FC were not only briefing their own local journalists but bragging to the national press and indeed anyone who would listen that Virgil Van Dijk was a done deal.

Blackmore revealed to anfieldhq that:

"It wasn’t just Merseyside journalists that were briefed, there were a number of nationals as well. But whilst that was a less than subtle display of chest-thumping, I think the biggest issue was the wording that implied VVD had chosen Liverpool. And all this before an approach had been made to talk to the player."

"It was unnecessary and they may well have done the deal had they kept everything in-house and knuckled down to negotiate the deal with Saints. "

When asked the question:

The news has come out the Premier League will not be taking any further action against Liverpool following the complaint by Southampton, but that the Saints have not yet dropped the complaint, what’s the feeling from everyone at St Mary’s?

Blackmore replied:

"I think Saints mind-set is to do all they can to keep VVD, they will hope to have shown to everyone that they are not going to roll over and let players leave without it being a good move for them, and with Mauricio Pellegrino arriving today, they will feel they have a good platform for pre-season now."

"As I said above, I think Saints will be glad the whole episode gave them the chance to show everyone they won’t roll over and be bullied."

"I don’t not think Saints have a desire to sell any more players to Liverpool — it grates with their supporters after recent signings. I think they want to keep VVD for another year. But it is football — if the player engineers a move it will be a difficult situation for the club to deal with."

Blackmore was then asked about whether the deal could be revived and what Van Dijk's mind set is.

"I do not know, but the cryptic messages do not help. I have praised VVD for being a pro on and off the pitch in the past. But I think the cryptic messages are immature, and make him look like a spoilt footballer, and I’ve never perceived him like that."

"I think he should respect the club that has put him in this shop window. When he signed from Celtic, some up in Scotland thought he was dodgy and Saints had overpaid. Like with Wanyama. He would do well to remember that."

"The players start pre-season this week. Only now will we get an idea maybe, and in the coming weeks. "

The 64 million dollar question was left to the end, Did Adam Blackmore think Van Dijk would still be at St Mary's come the end of the transfer window ?

"I see him at Southampton UNLESS he hands in a transfer request."

So there we have it from a journalist who will be better informed than most of the situation, in the media it was common knowledge that Liverpool were briefing everyone and virtually bragging than Van Dijk was theirs.

The strangest thing though is why they felt the need to do so, as Blackmore said, if they had kept quiet and got on with the deal they may well have succeeded, but all they did was push Saints into a corner.

Someone at Liverpool has mucked up big time and has cost Liverpool Football Club what would have not only been their record transfer, but probably the most vital piece of the jigsaw that could make the difference between being also rans or genuinely challenging for that elusive first Premier League title.

Photo: Action Images

BaselSaint added 15:28 - Jul 4 How unlike the Scousers to gob off without considering the consequenses. Oh dear, how sad, never mind.
1

BoondockSaint added 20:44 - Jul 4 This is the part that should alarm us: "as Blackmore said, if they had kept quiet and got on with the deal they may well have succeeded, but all they did was push Saints into a corner.." So in other words, Les would have done the deal if it wasn't leaked early to the press by the Scouse. Then, facing embarrassment and hostile supporters, Les then cries foul and complains to the FA, playing the victim. Notice how Saints have not pushed the issue with the FA for more punishment as other clubs would have? Because Les doesn't want to hurt their feelings-probably told them he was just going through the motions to appease the supporters......but lets talk again at the next window!

1

SonicBoom added 21:26 - Jul 4 Christ so now we're blaming Les for something that didn't even happen and was purely speculation from a journo? Give it a rest. The picture is clear. He stays unless he decides to ve a pain in the ass, and if so he'll only be sold for a massive amount of money. If u have a better way to handle it I'm sure the club would love to hear it!
1

BoondockSaint added 22:09 - Jul 4 Hey SonicBoom- I would have got back to you sooner, but Les is jamming my internet access! From the quote it seems they might have done the deal, but when word got out and they saw the supporter reaction (not to mention the jokes in the football media) they then tried to spin it in their favour. It still begs the question why not push for the FA to come down harder, when this is not the first time the Scouse have been caught? Yes it is "from a journo" but one that "who will be better informed than most of the situation, in the media it was common knowledge that Liverpool were briefing everyone and virtually bragging than Van Dijk was theirs.." My only advice to the club would be don't make a deal with a rival, or may hurt you in the future. That's common sense in any sport. Hopefully this is the start of a new era where we don't sell our best players every summer. All the best, Boondock

0

Blogs 31 bloggers

Southampton Polls