£75m Van Dijk not worrying about monster Liverpool fee

Virgil van Dijk insists he cannot allow his hefty Liverpool price tag to be a cause for concern.

The 26-year-old Netherlands centre-back became the most expensive defender in football history when Southampton sanctioned his sale to the Anfield club for £75million.

Van Dijk’s move formally went through on Monday and he is keen to focus on his game as opposed to his eye-watering fee.

“Obviously there is a lot of money being paid, but I can’t do anything about that money, I can’t do anything about the price – nobody can,” he told Liverpool’s official website.

“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.”

pic.twitter.com/hnVroFUhCr

— Virgil van Dijk (@VirgilvDijk) January 1, 2018

Liverpool fell short in a public pursuit of Van Dijk during the close season and, having long been a wanted man in the eyes of Jurgen Klopp, the former Celtic player is relishing working under the German tactician.

“Everybody from a Liverpool perspective knows how he is; how lively he is, how he can make players better and give them confidence as well,” he said.

“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.”

 A look back at @VirgilvDijk‘s career so far  pic.twitter.com/NjgS1DltVk

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 1, 2018

Van Dijk is ineligible for the New Year’s Day trip to Burnley but could make his debut in the FA Cup derby against Everton on Friday.