Virgil van Dijk reveals what it was about Liverpool that made him so keen to join
Antonio Conte admitted he tried to sign the centre back before he moved to Anfield
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Your support makes all the difference.Virgil van Dijk has revealed the main reason he chose to join Liverpool FC over the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City was because of the atmosphere and size of the club.
The Dutchman left Southampton in a £75m deal to join the Reds after a summer of being chased by the Anfield club ended in disappointment for both.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte admitted last week that he wanted Van Dijk at Stamford Bridge but the Blues were unable to match Liverpool’s offer and they also knew the 26-year-old was more keen on Anfield.
“I think the size of the club, the fans, the players, the manager, the whole package here is amazing,” he told Sky Sports when asked about why he chose Liverpool.
“You can see yourself that the atmosphere at every home game is amazing. I'm just very happy to play for the club.”
At £75m, Van Dijk is now the world’s most expensive defender, but a number of players have struggled to live up to hefty price tags in the last, such as Paul Pogba who struggled when he signed for Manchester United for £89m.
But Van Dijk is adamant the fee won’t weight him down and actually sees the price as a “compliment”, rather than something to put pressure on him.
“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,” he added. “I can't change anything about that.”
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