Jurgen Klopp has dismissed questions about the money Liverpool will pay for Virgil van Dijk, insisting the club cannot control price tags.
Liverpool fans were delighted to learn Van Dijk would become a Red on January 1, but questions have since been raised about the £75million transfer fee.
Manchester United supporters in particular have called Klopp a hypocrite after the German was an outspoken critic of the world-record fee Jose Mourinho paid for Paul Pogba in 2016.
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But, Klopp is unconcerned with the money being spent and urged Liverpool supporters to forget about the hefty fee.
‘Quality. That’s why we got him, that’s why we were interested in him,’ Klopp said.
Liverpool 2017/18 Fixtures
Leicester City (H) – Sat Dec 30
Burnley (A) – Mon Jan 1
Everton (H) – Fri Jan 5 (FA Cup)
Man City – Sun Jan 14
Swansea (A) – Mon Jan 22
Huddersfield (A) – Tues Jan 30
Tottenham (H) – Sun Feb 4
Southampton (A) – Sun Feb 11
Porto (A) – Wed Feb 14 (Champions League)
West Ham (H) – Sat Feb 24
‘It’s quite difficult at the moment because technically he’s still a Southampton player.
‘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.’
Klopp will be praying Van Dijk can add some much-needed leadership in Liverpool’s back four with the Reds consistently being cut open this season by opponents.
Centre-backs Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip, along with the rest of Liverpool’s defenders, have faced serious criticism this season for their decision-making.
Liverpool are hopeful Van Dijk can have an instant impact, but Klopp admitted the Netherlands international may need time to settle in.
‘Virgil hasn’t had the best first half to the season at Southampton,’ said the Liverpool boss.
‘He was out injured for a long time and we all know about the things that happened last summer.
‘He’s a tall player – they always need a little bit longer especially after being out for around nine months – but that’s no problem.
‘We already have quality here in that position so we don’t have to rush anything.
‘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.’
Van Dijk is expected to make his debut for Liverpool against Everton in the FA Cup on January 5.
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