How Jurgen Klopp must be ruing his failed pursuit of Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk now.

Liverpool’s defence has once again been a cause for concern this season and the decision not to bring in a centre-back is looking more and more costly by the week.

Only two teams have conceded more goals in the Premier League. The Reds have let in 12 goals, more than Swansea and Bournemouth, who sit 18th and 19th respectively in the table.

Liverpool have struggled going forwards in recent weeks too, and it looks like a combination of their issues at both ends of the pitch will hold them back this campaign.

At least Van Dijk would have instilled some confidence in the back line.

The Dutch defender was eager to move to Anfield, even submitting a transfer request, but Liverpool flinched when Southampton accused them of making an illegal approach for the player.

The Reds would end up announcing the end of their interest in Van Dijk in a rather embarrassing statement.

Another CB was available to Klopp

Yet Van Dijk wasn’t the only centre-back who was available to Klopp.

According to the Mirror, the Liverpool boss had the chance to reunite with a player he won back-to-back Bundesliga titles with at Borussia Dortmund: Neven Subotic.

Klopp won the German league with Subotic in 2011 and 2012 but Liverpool failed to pursue a move for the 28-year-old due to his poor fitness record in the past two seasons.

Subotic was linked with Middlesbrough

When asked if there were any defenders Liverpool could have signed in the transfer window, the Mirror’s Tom Hopkinson told the Mirror Football podcast: “Oh there were lots.

"I'm not saying don't go for Van Dijk. Van Dijk is an excellent defender, but when that failed surely there was somebody could have they picked up for £20m. Subotic, or somebody like that.

"There was a mandate to try and bring Subotic to the Premier League during the transfer window.

"He might not be the answer to Liverpool's problems, and he might still have a rick in him. He's not got Premier League experience, but was it worth a gamble given how flaky we knew Liverpool's defence were last season."

Once Klopp realised the Van Dijk transfer wasn’t happening, surely he should have been on the phone to his former employers right away?

Should Liverpool have made a move for Subotic? Let us know in the comments section below!