Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino has fired a warning at wantaway defender Virgil van Dijk.

Liverpool target Van Dijk this week handed in a transfer request and will miss Saints' opening day clash at home to Swansea today due to a 'virus'.

Pellegrino said yesterday: “The problem here is that Virgil is one of the most important players. But there isn't one player more important than the 11 players playing together.

“Virgil is an important player but the club was clear from the beginning with the player. We cannot control every situation and Virgil is part of our club because he has a contract.

“The player is clear with his position but we have to keep going because I can't control the thinking of the player at this moment."

Dutchman Van Dijk has been training in isolation since telling Pellegrino he wants to leave last month.