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PREMIER LEAGUE

Van Dijk "had to step up" after sealing Liverpool switch

After leaving Southampton for Anfield, Virgil van Dijk had to accept that his previous levels were not going to cut it for Jürgen Klopp.

Update:
Van Dijk "had to step up" after sealing Liverpool switch
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Virgil van Dijk acknowledged he has had to "step up his game" since leaving Southampton for Liverpool in a move he hopes will allow him to win "everything possible". The Holland international had long been linked with a move to Anfield before eventually sealing a transfer at the end of December, officially moving to the club once the January transfer window opened.

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PETER POWELLREUTERS

More pressure for Van Dijk on Merseyside

The Reds had reportedly been keen on the centre-back before he suffered a serious ankle injury in January 2017 and pushed hard for his signature during pre-season. Although they failed on that occasion, Liverpool eventually got their man for £75million – a world-record fee for a defender – and he revealed it has not been an easy transition.

"I am getting used to how we play. The intensity of our game is a lot higher than what I was used to," Van Dijk told BBC Sport. "Every day here is tough. We work very hard, run a lot and there is a big difference. I needed to step up my game, especially in the beginning. I came here to achieve everything possible. I made the choice to come here based on everything".