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Southampton haven't given up hope of keeping Liverpool transfer target Virgil van Dijk.

Van Dijk informed the Saints this week that he will not back down from his position and continued to refuse to train with Mauricio Pellegrino's side.

The Dutch centre-back has his heart set on a move to Anfield, but Pellegrino is still hoping to include van Dijk in his future plans.

Asked if van Dijk could return to the first-team set-up, the Argentinian admitted that the 26-year-old does not want to play for the club for the time being - but will speak to the player in order to try to change his mind.

He said: “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.

“This is the reason he is aside from the team.”

Liverpool will be watching developments closely - but the Reds will not make a move for the defender unless they are given the green light by Southampton.

The club had been forced to publicly apologise and withdraw from the race to sign van Dijk earlier this summer after Southampton accused them of 'tapping up' their star man.

Despite van Dijk's protests, Pellegrino insists the Saints' position has yet to change.

He added: "We continue in the same way. 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.”