HomeExclusives Fri 13 September 2024 10:49, UK

Liverpool pulled the plug on their Matthijs De Ligt pursuit in the summer because he has a strained relationship with Virgil van Dijk, sources have told Football Insider.

Arne Slot's side held preliminary conversations over a deal for the 25-year-old before he joined Man United but didn't progress their pursuit after discovering the hostility between the pair.

Sources have told Football Insider that the animosity stems from this summer's Euros, with Van Dijk influencing the decision to bench De Ligt, preferring Stefan De Vrij as his defensive partner instead.

Van Dijk and De Vrij played every minute of the Netherlands' Euro 2024 campaign while De Ligt remained on the sidelined.

The two eventually played with each other for their country in their 2-2 UEFA Nations League draw with Germany on Tuesday, which saw De Ligt substituted at half-time after a disastrous performance.

Liverpool pull the plug on Matthijs De Ligt deal due to Virgil van Dijk influence De Ligt moved to Premier League rivals Man United from German giants Bayern Munich earlier this summer for PS42.7million, reuniting with former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag.

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The defender came off the bench for his debut in Man United's opening day 1-0 win over Fulham, playing the final nine minutes of the game and seeing fellow Dutchman Joshua Zirkzee score the winner.

Liverpool and Man United met on matchday three with Van Dijk getting the better of his countryman thanks to two goals from Luis Diaz and one from Mohammed Salah to secure the 3-0 victory.

The Merseyside club currently sit in second place, winning all three of their opening Premier League games without conceding a goal.

Football Insider revealed (September 6) that Erik ten Hag is seen as a "dead man walking" at Man United if he doesn't improve results.

In other news, Curtis Jones set to feature for Liverpool against Nottingham Forest.