---
title: "Van Dijk explains how Celtic inspired Liverpool move"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/van-dijk-explains-how-celtic-inspired-liverpool-move/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2019-05-28T10:43:54Z"
modified: "2019-05-28T10:51:02Z"
---

# Van Dijk explains how Celtic inspired Liverpool move

Virgil van Dijk has revealed that his time with Celtic helped him choose Liverpool over Manchester City.

The 27-year-old made the move to Anfield over the Etihad last January for a fee worth £75m from Southampton.

The Dutch international was a wanted man by Pep Guardiola, however, van Dijk decided to link up with Jurgen Klopp on Merseyside.

![Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/readliverpoolfc/2019/05/1146977475.jpg)

The towering defender has been a revelation for the club since his arrival and picked up the PFA Player of the Year award after a fine individual season.

Van Dijk began his career in Britain with Celtic before moving to the Saints back in 2015.

And talking to the Guardian, cited by the [Daily Express](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1132787/Liverpool-Virgil-van-Dijk-Celtic-fans-Man-City-transfer-snub-Southampton-Premier-League), van Dijk explained how the Celtic fans helped the Dutchman ultimately choose Liverpool over Manchester City.

> Bigger clubs doubted my ability because they thought the standard was not so high in Scotland. I kept working hard and I always believed in myself.

> And the fans at Celtic are amazing. They live and die for their club.

> That’s something I love – real fans, real passion. It’s why I also made the decision to come to Liverpool.

Van Dijk is expected to start for the Reds on Saturday when they take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League final.