And having signed a new two-year extension in April, it is fair to say the Premier League champions have kept to their word. Van Dijk has sat back and watched on in recent weeks while the club's recruitment department have spent the thick end of £300m this summer, with more arrivals planned.

Virgil van Dijk has revealed how he played a part in Florian Wirtz’s club record move to Anfield as he told him: “Liverpool is the place to be.” The Germany international joined the Premier League champions from Bayer Leverkusen last month for a fee which could rise to £116 million ($156m).

Liverpool’s Captain Virgil van Dijk Issues Rallying Call During Pre-Season PreparationsAs Liverpool return to the pitch for their pre-season tour in Hong Kong, skipper Virgil van Dijk has laid out