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Liverpool and Southampton will meet with Premier League officials today - as the fall-out from the Reds' ill-fated pursuit of Virgil van Dijk continues.

A statement of apology from the Reds last night, which included the ending of their interest in the £50m-rated centre-back , was agreed between the hierarchy of both clubs.

But it may not be enough to prevent Liverpool facing a full Premier League inquiry over their pursuit of the player and Southampton's belief that an illegal approach was made.

Officials from every club are at the Premier League (PL) AGM in Harrogate today and the ECHO can reveal that PL officials will seek a meeting involving both clubs as they look to get to the bottom of the dispute.

And worryingly for those at Anfield, the Premier League may still conduct a full inquiry - even if Southampton are now happy to let the matter lie following Liverpool's apology.

A heavy fine or, more significantly, some form of transfer ban are sanctions available to the league if it feels its regulations have been ignored.

And the fact Liverpool have already pleaded guilty earlier this year to an illegal approach for a 12-year-old Stoke youngster is unlikely to help their case. That issue resulted in a two year ban on the Reds signing players from other English academies.

The ECHO can also reveal that Southampton have as yet not made any formal complaint to the Premier League over Liverpool's actions around the transfer.

The St Mary's outfit contacted the league to raise the issue and the Reds were then asked for their "observations".

They pointed towards the astonishing statement which emerged on the club's website last night, one which principal owner John Henry and president Mike Gordon are reported to have been personally involved in crafting.

No doubt the Reds will hope that is the end of what has become an unseemly affair but the reactions of both Southampton and the Premier League will now be crucial in the club moving on from the issue with nothing more than pride and reputation damaged.