Overview

• Austin recounts a conversation in which Van Dijk said United weighed him against Victor Lindelof in 2017 and chose the Swede.
• He recalls manager Mauricio Pellegrino telling Southampton's squad that Van Dijk wanted to leave and would not play or train before later apologising and rejoining the team.
• Liverpool completed Van Dijk's transfer in January 2018 for £75 million, which set a record for a defender at the time.
• Van Dijk has since been a cornerstone for Liverpool, winning two Premier League titles and a Champions League, and he signed a new deal in April 2025.
• Lindelof spent eight seasons at Manchester United, won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, and left on a free transfer in 2025 to join Aston Villa.