VIRGIL’S WORTH IT
Forget the £75m, he’ll be a huge hit here, says Klopp
JURGen KlOPP insists there is no hurry to pick £ 75million signing Virgil van Dijk — just because liverpool have shattered the world transfer record for a defender.
The holland centre back said his goodbyes to southampton yesterday and is expected at Anfield tomorrow for his new club’s Premier league clash with leicester.
he is eligible to play in the FA cup third-round tie against everton a week today but liverpool boss Klopp says there is no rush to throw him in.
Klopp said: ‘he has to adapt to our style of play. it is completely different but we are 100 per cent sure he will do it. i am happy it is finally nally done but there is no rush.
‘i can imagine people - will think, “Wow, what a number it is” but for me the fee is not really interesting. We do not make e the price, the market et makes the price and nd the first thing all liverpool iverould supporters should for-forget quite soon is the price.
‘We only talk about the player and what he can bring in, his qualities, mentality and character. That is why we are really happy about it.’
Klopp admitted Van Dijk’s fitness issues were a concern as he has only played 16 times for southampton in 2017, including 12 this season following liverpool’s failed attempt to sign him in August. ‘it was probably not his best half of the season at southampton,’ Klopp said. ‘he was injured and then we know about the things that happened last summer.’
Meanwhile, Manchester city will step up their search for a new centre back following Van Dijk’s move, with inigo Martinez and West Brom’s Jonny evans on the list of targets.
city have been tracking Real sociedad’s Martinez for some time and could trigger the £28m buyout clause in his contract. The 26-year-old can also play at left back, which has been a position of some concern for city since Benjamin Mendy suffered a knee injury in september.
Martinez would be eligible to play in the knockout stages of the champions league, but it remains to be seen if city make a move for him. Manager Pep Guardiola and the eetihad hierarchy wouwould prefer not to buy in January. They are alalso mindful not to uupset the balance of a squad that has pperformed so well.
nicolas Otamendi hhas been one of cicity’s most important plaplayers and John stonestones is due to return from a hhamstring injury in the next couple of weeks.
however, the situation altered when skipper Vincent Kompany suffered another injury in the win at newcastle on Wednesday. Finding a player to succeed Kompany has been city’s priority for some time.
evans is an option, even though city failed with an £18m bid for the West Bromwich Albion defender in August. The 29-year- old has 18 months left on his contract and it is understood manager Alan Pardew would be prepared to sell him to fund signings.