LIVERPOOL boss Jurgen Klopp said yesterday it was “not nice” shelling out £75 million for Virgil van Dijk but he had little option to do so.

Klopp has finally landed his main defensive target after a protracted courtship which included an unsuccessful transfer request in the summer and a public apology to Southampton for a “misunderstanding” over the Reds’ pursuit.

In bringing the Netherlands international to Anfield, Klopp had to set a new world record for a defender, easily eclipsing the £54m which took Kyle Walker from Tottenham to Manchester City.