My price is a compliment to my hard work: Van Dijk

CAIRO – 13 January 2018: Liverpool’s defender, Virgil van Dijk, who recently joined Jürgen Klopp’s team for £75 million (€84.5 million) from Southampton, acknowledged to Sky Sports website on Friday that the price of his signing is a "compliment" to his hard work and that does not make him "nervous".

"It doesn't make me nervous, it's a big compliment to myself for the hard work I've put in so far, that Liverpool are willing to pay that much money. I can't change anything about that."

Van Dijk, who debuted with Liverpool in the third round of the FA Cup by giving his team the victory and the pass to the next round with a goal against Everton, became the most expensive defender in history, exceeding the £52 million (€58 million) that Manchester City paid last summer to Monaco for the transfer of the left-back Benjamin Mendy.

Van Dijk had 16 international appearances with the Dutch national team. The defender, who arrived at Southampton in September 2015 from the Scottish team, Celtic, for £13 million (€14.6 million) and signed a new contract for six seasons last year, was in the orbit of other major Premier League teams such as Manchester City and Chelsea.

Van Dijk said his decision to opt for Liverpool was based on what the club, the fans, the players and the coach represent.

"I think the size of the club, the fans, the players, the manager, the whole package here is amazing,” he said.

"You can see yourself that the atmosphere at every home game is amazing. I'm just very happy to play for the club."