Jurgen Klopp urged Liverpool supporters to forget about the £75m transfer fee paid for Virgil van Dijk and instead focus on his quality.
Van Dijk will complete his move to Anfield on January 1 after Liverpool agreed to pay Southampton a world-record sum for a defender.
The Netherlands international will prove his worth to Liverpool over the long term, according to the Reds boss, who hailed his qualities
“I can imagine that people will think ‘wow, what a number’, but for me it’s not really interesting. He told Sky Sports
“We don’t make the prices, the market does. Liverpool supporters should forget about the price”.
“We only talk about the player and what he can bring in; the quality, the mentality, the character. That is why we are really happy about it.”
Van Dijk handed in a transfer request last summer in an attempt to force a move to Liverpool, only for Southampton to report the Reds for an alleged illegal approach.
Klopp was unconcerned by Van Dijk’s recent struggles at St Mary’s and insisted he would not be rushed into a Liverpool defence that has failed to convince this season.
“Virgil hasn’t had the best first half to the season at Southampton,” said Klopp.
“He was out injured for a long time and we all know about the things that happened last summer.
“He needs to adapt to our style of play. It’s a completely different game, but we are 100 per cent sure he will do it.”
