Virgil van Dijk reveals what he told Florian Wirtz in phone call to seal £116m transfer to Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen

The reigning Premier League champions completed a historic deal for British football when prising Wirtz away from Bayer Leverkusen. The talented 22-year-old is, despite his price tag, considered to be another shrewd addition for Arne Slot.

Liverpool fended off rival interest from the likes of Bayern Munich and Manchester City to land Wirtz, with an ambitious project at Anfield being sold to him. Reds captain Van Dijk formed part of that process, with the Dutch defender helping to get a big-money deal over the line.

Van Dijk has told reporters: "When I joined the club I said: ‘I don’t think there’s a better place to be than Liverpool’. I really feel that way. We had a fantastic season and I feel like this can only become better. When Florian spoke to the club and certain players, I spoke to him as well a little bit, I’m sure he got a feel for it and then he made a decision. Coming here, he can really make a big impact in my opinion. It’s also down to him in terms of showing it every single day. He’s getting there and it’s good to see."

Van Dijk added when asked what was said during that phone call: "Ah, you want to know that! I spoke to him, when that was is between me and him. But I said to him: ‘Liverpool is the place to be’."

Wirtz forms part of an elaborate summer spending spree from Liverpool that also includes Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Hugo Ekitike, with Van Dijk going on to say: “"eah, I don’t think it’s been a bad transfer window in terms of the additions that we have made and the money we’ve spent. The club is obviously trying to improve our squad.

"The Premier League is incredibly strong so it’s only right that we have to improve too. We know we have a very good team but additions are always a plus and I’ve been really impressed with how they have settled in."

There is the promise of more movement to come on Merseyside before the next deadline passes, with Liverpool reportedly ready to rekindle their interest in Newcastle striker Alexander Isak after seeing him table a transfer request.