Southampton chairman Ralph Krueger admits Liverpool's pursuit of £75m signing Virgil van Dijk created a "dark cloud" over St Mary's.

Liverpool's original interest prompted a transfer request by him last summer.

"Emotionally, it threw us off balance and financially it was a huge business risk," Krueger told BBC Radio Solent.

"To make a stand and principle like that creates an earthquake."

Krueger also offered his support to underfire manager Mauricio Pellegrino.

"In no way shape or form am I angry at any one individual for what has happened here in the past months," Krueger said.

"It was under the shadow of a stand and principle. That chapter closes now. The cloud was there, we allowed a certain negativity into our very fragile environment, which is based on positivity, creativity, unity and looking at solutions.

"I believe we can truly get back to that now."