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February 21, 2019, 3:24 pm EST
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Virgil van Dijk has become the most expensive defender in the world in Liverpool and wants to pay them back by becoming a club legend.
The Dutch international was signed by Southampton for GBP 75 million in December 2017 and has started all Premier League matches this season. The team of Jurgen Klopp is tied for points with Manchester City topping the standings.
Liverpool 's charge towards a Premier League Premier League title will be tested at Manchester United on Sunday, as she faces an undefeated national team under Acting boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
But central defender Van Dijk takes a long-term view as he tries to lead Klopp's men to a period of success and silverware.
"As a Liverpool legend," Van Dijk told BBC Sport when he asked how he wished he could be remembered. "I want to do incredible things here, we have a fantastic team, we have everything, we have all the tools.
"They did everything they could to find me and I want to give everything to them." Before starting my training, I went to the game against Leicester [City on December 30, 2017]. I was in the meeting room and I met so many legends, excellent players who played for a magnificent club.
"When you play in this club, you'll always be welcome as a family member – it's one of the reasons I absolutely wanted to play for the club."
Legend this .. pic.twitter.com/8doa6ZzunP
– Virgil van Dijk (@VirgilvDijk) February 14, 2019
Van Dijk has been training alone in Southampton after filing a transfer request in order to force the deal, but insists that his pledge has never been in doubt.
"After the end of August, I bowed my head, played for Southampton and gave everything," he added. "I was happy to play because I was coming back from an eight month injury.
"When everything was going on during the summer, people doubted you, and for me I did not care for everything because I gave everything in games and training. I received a call to tell me that they had entered into a deal and that I could talk to Liverpool, I was very happy.
"I went to the Juventus final against Real Madrid in Cardiff in [June] 2017 and many Liverpool fans came to see me and told me that I had to sign for them. It was a big gesture. they were kind and respectful. "
Proud to be named @ first league POTM December! Thanks to all my teammates, my staff and my fans! pic.twitter.com/6vWcMqS8aP
– Virgil van Dijk (@VirgilvDijk) January 11, 2019
Van Dijk's development as one of the best defenders in the world has not always been guaranteed.
"I was tall only when I had a growth spurt and at 16, my youngest brother was bigger than me," he said. "During the summer, I was 17, I grew 18 centimeters.
"My knee was a bit unstable, I had problems at the groin, I had so many problems, then I had an adequate detox with physios and I had a problem with my body. I was away for six weeks and after that I started to play well.
"At 16, I am a slow right back and I am not good enough to play the central defender.I have never been a notable player before playing for under 19s and in to become the captain, then everything went much better – I played games for under 23 and after that was pretty fast. "
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