Klopp tells players not to fear Virgil’s arrival

LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp has told his current defenders they have no reason to be nervous about the arrival of Virgil van Dijk and should embrace the challenge of having another top-class player at the club.

The £75million man watched his new teammates beat Leicester City 2-1 yesterday and is expected to make his debut in the FA Cup tie against Everton on Friday, with Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan all under threat.

However, Klopp insists bringing in the Holland international was an important part of maintaining Liverpool’s progress as genuine

Premier League and Champions League contenders.

‘It’s part of professional football. For the really good players, it’s a challenge that will always help the team.

‘You cannot be a squad of 11 and be best friends every day if you want to fight against the best. You cannot go into the season with two centre-halves and hope nothing happens.

‘No player should, or can, play a whole season and we need to react when someone is injured or not at the top level.’

Matip’s error helped gift Leicester an early lead but a Liverpool side with Loris Karius in goal defended well after that.

Klopp said: ‘I don’t think the boys are nervous [about Van Dijk’s arrival]. They don’t have any reason to be.

‘I am really happy with their development. But we have to battle with the biggest in world football.’