Liverpool face competition from Manchester City to land long-term target Virgil van Dijk.

The Southampton defender failed in a summer attempt to force through a move to Anfield last summer.

The Daily Express says with City facing an injury crisis, the runaway Premier League leaders are eyeing the 26-year-old to boost their options.

Liverpool remain keen on van Dijk and could test Southampton's resolve, six months after the Saints threatened to report the club to the Premier League for an alleged illegal approach.

Van Dijk opted to move to Anfield last summer, only for the deal to fall through, but it remains to be seen whether the player's mindset would change if City – favourites for both the Premier League and Champions League – launched an effort to take him to the Etihad Stadium.