VIRGIL van Dijk can help Saints thwart Liverpool's celebrated attack for a fifth successive game at Anfield on Saturday – and show his Merseyside admirers exactly what they missed out on in the summer.

The 26-year-old centre-back wanted nothing more back in the transfer window than to be on the other side of this fixture, having tried but failed to force a move to the Reds.

Liverpool mucked up their approach for the Dutchman, and were forced in to an embarrassing climbdown and apology after Saints reported them to the Premier League for an illegal approach.

Despite Van Dijk later handing in a transfer request and months of speculation over a £70m move, his switch to Liverpool failed to materialise.

Now, Van Dijk, who said he's giving "100 per cent for" Mauricio Pellegrino's men, is in line to play against Jurgen Klopp's side, which has been unable to get past Saints in four consecutive meetings in all competitions.

Although, making it five in a row may be difficult, with the Reds' attack in fine fettle.

The combination of Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino, Phil Coutinho and ex-Saint Sadio Mane has struck fear into opposition defenders this term, most recently smacking four past West Ham.

Liverpool are the third highest scorers in the Premier League this term with 21 goals, too.

Record signing Salah alone has scored 12 goals in all competitions and although the Anfield outfit have been accused of being wasteful in front of goal, this is a forward line that will test Saints' and Van Dijk's mettle.

Pellegrino's men might well find it hard to keep them out, but Van Dijk will no doubt be eager to impress and Saints' misfiring attack could have some luck against the hosts' shaky backline.

Liverpool's defence has been vulnerable, having shipped 17 goals and has suffered demoralising defeats against Manchester City (5-0) and Tottenham (4-1). They have conceded six more goals than Saints.

Against Spurs, Klopp hauled former Saints defender Dejan Lovren off after 31 minutes following an embarrassing undressing by England striker Harry Kane.

Klopp later said he could have defended better "in his trainers".

Certainly, Liverpool are feeling the consequences of missing out on Van Dijk in the summer and could feel that even more if Saints are able to keep another clean sheet in this one.

Last season, both league matches ended in goalless draws, while Saints famously defeated the Reds 2-0 on aggregate in the League Cup semi-final double header.

Van Dijk played two of those matches, but suffered a long-term injury just before the semi-final second leg, with Jack Stephens and Maya Yoshida producing a heroic display at the back in the Anfield decider. He also missed the Premier League 0-0 draw on Merseyside in May.

These matches were against a Liverpool attack without its new talisman Salah, who made a £37m move from Roma in June, and he could well be the difference at Anfield on Saturday.