Virgil van Dijk poses in a Liverpool shirt for the first time after completing £75m move from Southampton and declares: 'I can't wait to get started'

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Virgil van Dijk has worn a Liverpool shirt for the first time after completing his £75million move from Southampton on Monday.

The Reds have splashed out a world record-breaking deal for a defender after going close to securing his signature in the summer.

The 26-year-old will not be able to play against Burnley on New Year's Day but could make his debut in the FA Cup third-round clash with Everton.

Virgil van Dijk puts pen to paper on a deal at Liverpool as he signs from Southampton

The Dutch centre-back poses in a Liverpool shirt for the first time since his £75m move

Van Dijk smiles for the camera in front of a 'Welcome to Melwood' sign at the training ground

Van Dijk will wear the No 4 shirt at Liverpool, as last worn by former defender Kolo Toure

His record-breaking move to Liverpool was finalised on Wednesday, with the deal going through on the first day of the window on Monday, and he told the club website: 'I am happy to be here and I can't wait to get started.

'I think the most important thing is the size of the club, the culture of the club, the players, the manager and obviously the fans, who make the club this special.

'With the history at the club and everything around it – even the training ground and stuff – it is just a perfect, perfect match for me, and a perfect match for my family as well.'

Van Dijk was at Anfield on Saturday to watch Liverpool's 2-1 win over Leicester, with Mohamed Salah scoring twice in a comeback victory.

'I think it'll be something special,' he said. 'I think Anfield is a very special stadium and it is my home right now as well.

'I am just looking forward to being on the pitch, especially as a [home] player at the stadium. It's going to be nice, especially the evening games and the European nights.

The Dutch defender poses in front of a banner at the Melwood training ground

Van Dijk pulls his socks up as he gets ready to make his bow in a Liverpool shirt

Van Dijk was in the crowd at Anfield on Saturday to watch the 2-1 win over Leicester

The former Southampton man could make his Liverpool debut against Everton in the FA Cup

'I hope to win trophies. Every player wants to win trophies and with this squad we have and the progress the club is making, I think we are very close to it.

'Obviously we still need to do it and we will see what the future brings.' 

Manager Jurgen Klopp said in the week: 'He has to adapt to our style of play. It is completely different but we are 100 per cent sure he will do it. I am happy it is finally done but there is no rush.

'I can imagine people will think, "Wow, what a number it is", but for me the fee is not really interesting. We do not make the price, the market makes the price and the first thing all Liverpool supporters should forget quite soon is the price.

Van Dijk was put through his paces in training at Melwood on New Year's Eve

Jurgen Klopp embraces his new £75m centre-back on the training field on Sunday

'We only talk about the player and what he can bring in, his qualities, mentality and character. That is why we are really happy about it.'

Klopp admitted Van Dijk's fitness issues were a concern as he only played 16 times for Southampton in 2017, including 12 this season following Liverpool's failed attempt to sign him in August.

'It was probably not his best half of the season at Southampton,' Klopp said. 'He was injured and then we know about the things that happened last summer.'

Klopp and van Dijk enjoy a conversation during a training session at Melwood