Klopp praises Van Dijk ahead of Porto clash

CAIRO – 6 March 2018: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp praised their Dutch defender, Vigil Van Dijk, for his contributions with the team since he joined them in January from Southampton.

“His body language is brilliant, to be honest. He looks like a leader, like a warrior, already like a Liverpool player,” Klopp told the club’s official website.

Liverpool made Van Dijk the most expensive defender in the world when they signed him for $104 million from Southampton, according to BBC.

Klopp believes that Van Dijk’s personality helped him to adapt with his new team. He said, “We bought him not because he is a good lad, but because he is a good footballer. But being a good lad helps a lot to settle in the team immediately and that’s what he did.”

Van Dijk, 26, helped Liverpool to reach the third place in the Premier League and they are only two points behind the second-placed Manchester United.

Liverpool fans hope Van Dijk will help them to secure qualification to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals when they host Porto on Tuesday night in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16. Liverpool won the first leg in Portugal 5-0.