VAN DIJK WOWED BY KLOPP FACTOR

VIRGIL VAN DIJK has explained how the Klopp factor persuaded him to turn his back on Manchester City.

He yesterday completed a £75million world record move for a defender, with some questioning his ambition in choosing Liverpool ahead of a club who have virtually wrapped up the title.

But even though the future looks bright at City under Pep Guardiola, the Holland international was adamant Reds boss Klopp also has the X-factor – and is on the verge of delivering something special at Anfield.

Hailing Klopp (below), Van Dijk said: “I think he’s made a lot of progress and I think it’s only going to get better and better. Hopefully I can contribute to that as well.

“Everybody from a Liverpool perspective knows how lively he is, how he can make players better and give them confidence. It just suits me as well.

“I think he can make me a better player and I am just looking forward to working with him. I think this is the right time for me to be here and to develop all sorts of aspects of my game.”

The centre-back is convinced Klopp will deliver trophies at Liverpool, as he did previously at Borussia Dortmund in smashing Bayern Munich’s dominance of the Bundesliga.

“Every player wants to win trophies and, with the squad we have and the progress the club is making, I think we are very close to it,” added Van Dijk (left), who joined from Southampton.

“Obviously we still need to do it. We will see what the future brings.

“There is a lot of quality up front. I think the whole team is full of quality. They’ve shown it already throughout this season.

“With the history at the club and everything around it – even the training ground and stuff – it is just a perfect, perfect match for me, and for my family as

well.”