Saint Albert

Some scousers still think they have a shot at signing VVD, if they pay the full, ridiculous £70 million, and Stuart Pearce is not helping things: https://www.rousingthekop.com/2017/06/11/liverpool-can-still-sign-virgil-van-dijk/ It reminds me of that scene in Dumb and Dumber..."so you're telling me there's a chance..."

His attitude rubs me the wrong way sometimes particularly when he mouths off in the media when on international duty, and he does seem to go off the boil a little after strong starts to the season. Also, he's reportedly fallen out with the last two managers, which can't be a good sign of his temperament. That being said, we'd be mental to let him go unless we're lining up a PL-proven creative set-up player with a comparable assists record, and I'm not sure that such a player exists who could be tempted to come here. Despite the negatives he's put in some outstanding and important performances in a Saints shirt. I'd be really disappointed to see him go.

There was a persistent rumour that VVD has a release clause as well. That turned out to be made up. I can't believe Saints would do something as dopey as attach a £13 mill release clause to Tadic. Tadic complained publicly about being subbed late on in games by Puel. I can only imagine how he'd react if he spent most of the season on Klopp's bench.

Look who's making headlines in the Sun again: https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/3771882/married-premier-league-star-charlie-austin-had-two-month-affair-with-22-year-old-hairdresser-causing-wife-to-send-cryptic-monopoly-cheat-tweet-and-vicious-facebook-spat/

I've got to agree with you there. Could have been an impact injury. Someone could have ploughed into him. We just don't know. No one wil be more upset about this injury than the player.

VVD and his agent have done a pretty decent job of damaging his reputation among Saints supporters.

The legions of "why us?" supporters among the Liverpool fan base will be hoping that a complaint against Chelsea is forthcoming, but I don't recall Chelsea being stupid enough to publicize their own illegal approaches in the media. My view of VVD certainly is not what it once was. A bag of money and either Ake or Christensen is starting to sound OK to me. Or a bag of cash plus Iheanacho.

The article is attributed to "Yahoo sports staff". Unless they are making it all up it would seem to be based on info. obtained from someone at the club. I hope that the PL steps out of its comfort zone and throws the book at Liverpool and the agency. The lack of respect for Saints in this debacle is breathtaking. VVD should be looking at a fine as well, based on what happened to Ashley Cole. Interesting note at the end about the managerial search being nearly done.

I hope that Kat has the wherewithal to decline a deal that would involve saddling the club with the new ownership group's debts. Worst case scenario, the club could be £200 million in debt from this and servicing huge interest payments.

This is a day after the Star reported "exclusively" that he was being lined up to manage Southampton. It's almost as if the red tops make news up.

The Liverpool Echo's version: "It is understood both clubs have been asked to provide further information to the league regarding the alleged illegal approach from the Reds for Southampton defender van Dijk. That process is not expected to conclude until Monday at the earliest, although a full inquiry is considered unlikely with both clubs believing the matter closed following Liverpool's remarkable statement of regret and apology on Wednesday." http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/liverpool-van-dijk-southampton-threat-13158056

I'm not sure if this has been posted yet from the Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/06/08/southampton-stand-firm-virgil-van-dijk-following-liverpool-interest/ "Southampton have told Virgil van Dijk that he is not for sale this summer and believe that their complaint over Liverpool’s conduct – which may still result in a formal Premier League investigation – has shown how serious they are about their stance." And the Echo reporting that the PL is seeking more information on the tapping up complaint: http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/15337326.Premier_League_seek_more_information_about_Virgil_van_Dijk__illegal_approach__claim/

This could be awkward for Bertrand.

Lander believe they are close to an 80% ownership stake according to this shorty from Sky Sports: http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11700/10909127/lander-holdings-close-to-agreeing-southampton-takeover-deal

I would just like to again remind everyone that summer does not officially start until June 20, so Les Reed's prediction of a quiet summer could still work out OK.

Tuchel, Schmidt and Pellegrino are under consideration according to the Independent: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/southampton-new-manager-thomas-tuchel-claude-puel-pelligrino-a7779836.html

I appreciate your optimism. I'm trying, but I may be seeking permission for my lower lip to wobble at some point in the future. I'm really worried that they will saddle the club with the debt that they incurred in making this purchase, like the Glazer family did with Man U.

Loved your latest one, BS.

According to his bio, he's chairman of Blackbridge Group "a private trans-global organization that focuses on structuring and brokering the investment in real-estate, infrastructure, energy & sports." It's happening.

He claims to be a Liverpool fan...but he's awfully sure of himself on this.

Worrying if true.

The Premier League were unable to block Gao / Lander's ownership bid because he was not convicted of a crime, so they are amending their rules to expand the list of disqualifying events for future ownership bids. I'm a little worried that Lander were able to sneak past the PL gates before they were closed.

More details here: http://news.sky.com/story/premier-league-bosses-approve-tougher-club-ownership-rules-10908980

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/10908984/premier-league-clubs-back-ownership-rule-changes

Sun thinks that Dyche is off to Palace, based on betting activity. https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/3754387/sean-dyche-crystal-palace-odds/ Shame if true I was hoping we'd take a look at him, but it would reduce the competition for Schmidt and Tuchel.