WATCH: Van Dijk trains with Liverpool for the first time
Written by News on 03/01/2018
Virgil van Dijk has trained with his new Liverpool team-mates for the first time since he completed his £75m move to Anfield.
The Dutchman – the world’s most expensive defender as a result of his switch from Southampton – met up with the club’s manager Jurgen Klopp during the session at Melwood.
He was later put through his paces by Liverpool’s coaches as the squad prepared for this Friday’s FA Cup third round tie against Merseyside rivals Everton.
Former Celtic defender van Dijk will compete with the likes of Dejan Lovren, Ragnar Klavan, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez for a regular place in Klopp’s starting XI.
The 26-year-old described his transfer to Liverpool as “the perfect match” when he completed his move from St Mary’s on New Year’s Day.
He said: “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.
“Obviously there is a lot of money being paid, but I can’t do anything about that money. It’s only the market.
“The only thing I can do is just work hard, do the good things and be 100 per cent every day. That’s what I definitely want to do – and I am going to do.”
Van Dijk has signed a long-term contract with the club and will wear the number four shirt during his stay with the former European champions.
(c) Sky News 2018: WATCH: Van Dijk trains with Liverpool for the first time
