Klopp tells fans to forget about Virgil van Dijk

Jurgen Klopp has told Liverpool fans to forget about Virgil van Dijk’s world record transfer fee.

The Dutchman will join the Reds on January 1 after an agreement was finally reached with Southampton after protracted negotiations.

The £75m price tag eclipses the £53m Manchester City paid Tottenham for Kyle Walker in the summer making the Van Dijk the most expensive defender in history.

But manager Klopp says the first thing Liverpool supporters should do is put that record-breaking outlay to the back of their minds.

“Quality. That’s why we got him, that’s why we were interested in him,” the German said when asked what the central defender will bring to his side. “It’s quite difficult at the moment because technically he’s still a Southampton player. “We don’t make the prices, the market does. Liverpool supporters should forget about the price. We only talk about the player and what he can bring in; the quality, the mentality, the character. That is why we are really happy about it.”

Van Dijk handed in a transfer request in the summer in the hope of forcing through a move to Anfield only for a deal to fall through when Southampton accused the Reds of an illegal approach for the player.

The 26-year- old’s form has suffered as a result but Klopp has backed his latest signing to hit the ground running at Liverpool.

“Virgil hasn’t had the best first half to the season at Southampton,” he added. “He was out injured for a long time and we all know about the things that happened last summer.

“He’s a tall player - they always need a little bit longer especially after being out for around nine months - but that’s no problem. We already have quality here in that position so we don’t have to rush anything. “He needs to adapt to our style of play. It’s a completely different game, but we are 100 per cent sure he will do it. THE INDEPENDENT