Africa-Press – Gambia. New Year’s Day marks four years since Virgil van Dijk officially became a Liverpool player.
One of the most transformative signings in Liverpool history, the Dutchman’s £75m transfer from Southampton solved a defensive problem that had plagued Jurgen Klopp’s side and provided the platform for the Reds to eventually become English and European champions.
Van Dijk’s debut against Everton on January 5 was marked with an emphatic goal and what followed was his calmness that spread throughout the backline and his ability to defend and lead quickly shone as the Reds went on a sensational run to the Champions League final.
They would return the following season to beat Tottenham and lift their sixth European Cup before a Premier League title followed 12 months later.The centre-back has truly been nothing short of world-class since he arrived and just about everyone has lauded him with the highest of praise.
But what was said about him when he signed for Liverpool?Here the ECHO takes a look at what was said – all the good, bad and ugly from pundits, managers, players and fans alike.
The managers
At the time Jurgen Kloppstated that Liverpool had bought proven “quality” in Virgil van Dijk as he urged the club’s fans to forget about his £75million transfer fee.
Asked what Van Dijk would bring to the club, Klopp said: “Quality. That’s why we got him. That’s why we were interested.
“It’s quite difficult at the moment because he is technically still a player of Southampton. I will have much more time and opportunities to talk about him.
“I can imagine people think ‘wow, what a number this is’ but of course for me this is not interesting, we don’t make the prices, the market makes the prices and the first thing all Liverpool supporters should forget is the price.
“We only talk about the player and what he can bring. It’s quality, it’s character, it’s mentality and all that stuff. That’s why we are really happy.”
Virgil van Dijk’s former Southampton manager Claude Puel said he could become the world’s best defender at Liverpool.
“He is one of the best defenders in the world and he has all the qualities to become the best,” said the now Leicester boss.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was a man who was interested in buying the Dutchman himself.
He said: “Liverpool took an amazing player, Van Dijk is an exceptional central defender. That’s a price we’ll see (again) in the future. If he plays six or seven years at a high level it would be cheap.
“John Stones, when he came here, people said he was too expensive. Now he’s too cheap. It always depends on the value of what happens on the pitch.”One manager took a swipe at Jurgen Klopp following Liverpool’s £75m capture of Virgil van Dijk, though. Cue Jose Mourinho .
The former Manchester United boss, who repeatedly bemoaned a lack of investment at Old Trafford despite spending £300million, referred to comments made by Klopp in July 2016 when United were closing in on the £90million signing of Paul Pogba.
“If you bring one player in for £100m and he gets injured, then it all goes through the chimney,” Klopp said. “The day that this is football, I’m not in a job anymore, because the game is about playing together. I want to do it differently.”
Mourinho reacted angrily at the time and Klopp’s words clearly still smarted as the Portuguese coach spoke about the Van Dijk deal.
“You know, I think the one that speaks about it in a specific way has to be Jurgen,” he said. “If I was one of you I would ask him about his comments about one year ago.”
The then West Ham’s David Moyes was surprised by the size of the fee and thinks it could cause problems for other teams.
“I am surprised, it’s a lot for a defender but if you want them then you have to pay the fee that is going,” he said.
“Maybe because of the problems they had in the summer it might have been bigger, who knows but if that’s what it is, it will make things difficult this month for other teams.”The pundits
The difference of opinion continued.
First, Jamie Carragher was asked if Van Dijk was a better defender than himself.
The Anfield legend, who played 737 times for Liverpool, quipped: “Better in the air than me, quicker than me, more composed and doesn’t score own goals!”
Alan Shearer on the other hand stated that Liverpool had paid way over the odds for £75million new signing Virgil van Dijk.
Then BBC pundit said Southampton were able to command a world-record fee for a defender because they knew the Reds were “absolutely desperate” for a dominant centre-back.
“Southampton have got one hell of a deal,” Shearer told 5Live.
“Van Dijk is a good player, yes, but for £75m? No, he’s not worth it at all.
Not quite a pundit but David Moss, the talent scout who brought Van Dijk to Celtic, said : “I used to say to Premier League clubs: ‘Van Dijk is a man playing in a playground against kids, he stands out so much. He’s 6ft 4in, can ping it from one end of the field to the other, can head it, scores goals, is quick … he’s got everything.’ And they’d still go and buy someone else. I’d despair.”
The fans
It is fair to say that opinion between fans was very much divided when it was announced the Reds would pay £75m to secure Van Dijk’s services.
There were some who simply could not wait to see him at Anfield not matter what the cost and there were others who did not appreciate the amount being spent and said he wasn’t good enough to command anywhere near that sort of fee.
Jack Lusby remarked: “Virgil van Dijk is by far the best centre-back Liverpool could have hoped to sign, so have zero qualms with the £75m. Especially since it’s offset by us signing Mo Salah for under half-price.”
Leanne Prescott said: “It’s a monumental signing for Liverpool, with his aerial prowess and authority at the back just two of several traits that’ll help solidify the back four.”However, a glance through the replies to Sky Sports’ tweet announcing the deal makes very interesting reading. Rivals fans ridicule Liverpool’s decision to pay the big bucks for Van Dijk.
One wrote: “Absolute joke, bang average centre half, money in the prem is ridiculous!”
Another: “75M? Southampton are milking Liverpool, this is daylight robbery!”
“Southampton have done a bit of business,” said one fan. “£75m for a overrated CB who has a tantrum every week, scenes!”
The replies went on and on..
“£75m for the Dutch Lovren? Bet Saints are laughing”
“Southampton laughing all the way to the bank!”
“Wow that is great business for Southampton. Only them. Liverpool have been robbed.”
“HAHAHAHA 75M FOR A 1 SEASON WONDER”
“Fair play to Southampton for getting that much for him. Wouldn’t give you my left over turkey for him!!!!!”
“Bonkers. He’s a decent player but £75m?? Not even in the top 5 CB’s in the league. Imagine what Maldini would go for in today’s market.”We wonder what they’re all thinking now…
The players
Gini Wijnaldum said Liverpool had bought a natural leader with their £75m swoop for Virgil van Dijk.
“I am really happy,” Wijnaldum said. “When I spoke to him on the phone I told him that I was happy that he’s coming to join us and that I will have a bit of Dutch support in the dressing room now!
“To be fair, I think outside the pitch he’s a normal person, easy going, relaxed, everyone likes him.
“On the pitch, from what I’ve seen with the national team, he’s a leader. He’s always trying to help everyone and help the defensive line. He will help us.”
Van Dijk himself took to Instagram to post: “Delighted and honoured to become a Liverpool FC player!
“Today is a proud day for me and my family as I join one of the biggest clubs in world football!
“I can’t wait to pull on the famous red shirt for the first time in front of the Kop and will give everything I have to try and help this great club achieve something special in the years to come.”
Verdict
There are those that clearly knew and those that didn’t.
As ever, hindsight is a wonderful thing and it’s even sweeter when you’re rivals are well and truly put in their place.
Just over four years ago, Liverpool agreed a £75m deal to sign Virgil van Dijk from Southampton. It was a world record fee for a defender and resurrected a transfer that had looked to have fallen through the previous summer.There’s no doubt about it, Liverpool were taking a chance paying such a fee for the Dutchman, with Jurgen Klopp convinced that Van Dijk would transform his defence.
How right he was.
Van Dijk has paid back every penny of the fee paid and there’s likely to be nobody left on earth who wouldn’t love to see him at their club.
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