Southampton manager Claude Puel talks about Virgil van Dijk after the 0-0 draw with Liverpool

Claude Puel says Saints should continue to enjoy Virgil van Dijk’s fantastic defensive presence for as long as they have him at the club.

The Dutchman was again immense against Liverpool as Saints fought out a goalless draw.

His imperious form this season is not going unnoticed, with rumours abound that a number of big clubs are mulling over big money offers for his services in January.

Puel is relaxed about van Dijk’s future, but insists it is important to continue to enjoy watching his progress.

He said: “We will see for the future.

“For now he is with us and I am enjoying having this player with the squad and I hope for the future also.

“The club want to keep a good ambition on this league and for the future. We will see.

“I enjoy when all the players can improve because it's the philosophy of the club like van Dijk, like all the young players of the team, all these players, and with all these many games to play different competitions with quality and to continue this work.

“We will see the future if he can continue this work.”

Of his performance against Liverpool, Puel added: “Yes but every game. It's not a surprise. It's not amazing.

“Since the beginning of the season van Dijk is fantastic and he keeps now the good concentration, the quality, the capacity to defend one against one.

“It is important with our game because we try to have the ball, not today but for the other games, with good possession and good control of the game.

“In these conditions it is important like Fonte, Yoshida, van Dijk to know how to defend one against one.

“He can make very good progress and it is it important for the future.”

Puel handed Sofiane Boufal a first Premier League start for the club since his record £16m move.

Boufal ended up being tied to a more defensive role in the side, and Puel was impressed with the Moroccan’s discipline.

“I think he participate with a good discipline, good organisation and it was a difficult game,” reflected Puel.

“Sometimes we can see his quality with the ball but it was a difficult game for my strikers for example because we didn't have enough of the ball to have good football.

“I am happy for and enjoy his performance because he kept a good structure, he worked with his partners and it's interesting for the future.

“Of course it's difficult for a first game to defend all the game.”

With so many players having been away on international duty, Puel was pleased to get a point on the board against Liverpool.

“We know it's always difficult after an international break to play,” he admitted.

“I think it's better for example to play against Liverpool, a great team, with a good concentration and a good attitude but of course it's difficult with 15 international players on the break. We didn't know how we make on this game.

“It was important I think to take this point because now we can play many games, European games, different competitions, and it's important to continue this work.

“I am happy with the attitude and the spirit of my players.

“With this difficult game, this difficult opponent, it was important to take this point and I am satisfied.”