Explained: How Liverpool beat Man City, Chelsea & Arsenal to record-breaking Virgil van Dijk transfer

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Liverpool made an ’emergency dash’ to Southampton this week in order to beat Manchester City to the Virgil van Dijk transfer, according to the Liverpool Echo.

The Netherlands international was surprisingly unveiled by the Reds last night as things moved quickly, and it seems they were desperate to get the deal done as soon as possible to avoid a rival hijacking the move.

As recently as yesterday, the Daily Mirror were still linking Chelsea and City with an interest in Van Dijk, while the Times recently suggested Arsenal could also be in for him this January.

Still, the Liverpool Echo state that club medics flew down to Bournemouth on Wednesday so sort out formalities as soon as a fee had been agreed with Southampton.

Virgil van Dijk transfer looks a great coup by Liverpool

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The Merseyside giants managed to sort out other things such as the Van Dijk transfer fee and wages, putting them in a position to announce the completion of the deal before the January transfer window had even opened.

Liverpool supporters will be delighted to see their club move so swiftly to wrap up such an exciting and necessary signing.

Defence has been an issue for Jurgen Klopp’s side this season, with their goals-against record of 23 the joint-worst in the top seven alongside Arsenal.

Dejan Lovren has been particularly culpable with some poor individual displays, and Van Dijk looks a big upgrade after his form for Southampton, particularly last season.

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