Liverpool triggered failed Manchester City move for Leicester star Riyad Mahrez
Liverpool spent big to lure Van Dijk away from Southampton with Jurgen Klopp smashing the club’s transfer record to sign the Holland international.
Leicester star Mahrez, meanwhile, was left emotionally crushed after the Foxes refused to sell him to Manchester City.
Mahrez had his heart set on a move to City but Leicester’s £80million asking price scared City off, despite the Premier League leaders sealing a £60m deal for Aymeric Laporte the day before.
And the Mirror say Liverpool’s deal for Van Dijk - coupled with their £142m sale of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona - was the reason why City were unable to land their man.
It is said Leicester felt they were justified in demanding £80m to cough up their star asset - because the market value for star players has risen that high.