Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has said that Virgil van Dijk will not be at his full potential until he integrates into the squad.
The former Southampton centre-back signed for Liverpool for £75 million at the start of the January transfer window.
The Holland international was brought in to create a backbone in the Liverpool defence, which has been missing for some time.
His debut brought a lot of light to the eyes of the fans as he scored the winner in the FA Cup in front of the Kop against arch-rivals Everton.
However, the defender looked way off his best in a lost Liverpool defence in the defeat to Swansea City.
Klopp said this about Van Dijk to The Mirror:
We will see Van Dijk at his best after the summer. He has to get used to this style of play.
Everton, outstanding, Swansea, good, West Brom, bad game for whole team.
Despite the early opinions being made about the pricey defender, Klopp is adamant that VVD will prove to be a positive signing.
I think it will prove to be a great signing, but he hasn’t hit the ground running.
I think he needs to get fit and lose a bit of weight. He actually looks too big. Maybe that’s to do with not having a pre-season.
The former Borussia Dortmund head coach made a decision to leave the centre-back out against Huddersfield and explained why:
When Virgil (van Dijk) came here he wasn’t match fit. I spoke to him about it [leaving him out the other night], he expected it. We have to use the time.
