Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk insists he can handle the pressure of his £75m price tag

Sport360 staff 15:22 06/02/2018
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  • Liverpool’s club record signing Virgil van Dijk insists he can handle the scrutiny of being the world’s most expensive defender.

    The Dutch centre-back signed for the Reds a month ago after a £75m move from Southampton and has been viewed as the answer to Jurgen Klopp’s defensive problems.

    While he has only played four matches, van Dijk is still far from his best after missing much of last year due to an ankle injury. However, he insists he can cope with the pressure of his hefty price tag.

    “I can’t do anything about the fee so it is pretty easy for me. I am pretty calm on that,” he said.

    “You are always going to have that but the most important thing is what happens at Melwood and what happens here with the people who care about the team.

    “Other people around – fans of other clubs, pundits – they can have their opinions, but it doesn’t really bother me.

    “So you need time to get used to everything but I am working on it every day together with the team.”

    Klopp claimed it will be until next season before van Dijk is back to his towering best as he needs to adapt to playing a different style of football.

    And van Dijk added: “I know because I made such a big step right now, for a lot of money, everything is going to be analysed.

    “No-one is going to look at the good things that you do. Everybody is going to watch the bad things and that’s how it is.

    “But I will discuss it with the people who want to make me better, who can make me better, that is the manager and the players around me. If they think it is right then that is the way forward.

    “I am talking with the manager and everyone who can help me out. I want to improve and get the maximum out of myself and that is what I am going to do.”

    The Dutchman can expect a hostile reception when he returns to his former club for the first time this Sunday as Liverpool take on Southampton at St. Mary’s.

    “Maybe they can boo the whole game. What can you do about it? You can’t do anything. I made the decision, I have enjoyed every bit of it and I am very grateful for everything that they [Southampton] did for me. I have moved on, they have moved on,” he said.

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