Van Dijk has put in a transfer request to force through his dream move to Anfield having been made to train alone after telling Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino he wants to leave.

But the club are still fuming with Liverpool for tapping up their skipper and are determined not to do business with the Merseysiders even if it means missing out on a £60m pay-day.

They are also conscious of not being made to look weak in the eyes of their supporters by being bullied into a deal with the Reds.

A club insider said: “We do not want to sell Virgil to Liverpool and will happily let him sit in the stands all season if we have to.

“Most of the fans would back the club in this after everything that has gone on.”

With van Dijk, 25, now a hate figure with Saints followers after launching a scathing attack on club bosses in a strongly-worded statement, it is unlikely he will ever pull on a Saints shirt again.