Klopp plays down record fee for Van Dijk
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp has urged supporters to “forget about the price tag” for the club’s record signing Virgil van Dijk and focus on the qualities of the Dutch international.
Van Dijk will arrive at Anfield from Southampton at the start of next month after the clubs agreed a reported 75 million pound ($101
million) fee that would make him the world’s most expensive defender.
The signing of the 26-year-old centre back is expected to offer stability to a Liverpool defensive line that has come in for heavy criticism this season.
“Quality ... That’s why we got him, that’s why we were interested in him,” Klopp told Sky Sports.
“I can imagine people think ‘wow’ what a number it is. But for me it is not really interesting. We don’t make the prices, the market is making the prices. The first thing all Liverpool supporters should forget is the price tag.
“We only talk about the player and what he can bring in; the quality, the mentality, the character.”
Liverpool plays two Premier League fixtures in the space of 48 hours when it hosts Leicester City on Saturday and then travels to Burnley on New Year’s Day.
Liverpool featured in a similar quickfire double-header during the festive period last season, when it beat Manchester City but could only manage a draw against Sunderland.
“Now the focus is on Leicester. We are prepared for that game, for sure, and then we will see,” said Klopp.
Leicester City boss Claude Puel believes van Dijk has all the attributes to become the best defender in the world. Puel had Van Dijk as his captain at Southampton last season as the south coast club fought to keep the center back at the club.
“He is one of the best defenders in the world and he has all the qualities to become the best. It is fantastic for Liverpool,” Puel told a news conference on Thursday. “I am happy for him and happy he can’t play against us.”
There will be six more games played on Saturday, with Manchester United aiming to rebound from two consecutive 2-2 draws when it hosts Southampton.