Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp believes that Virgil Van Dijk has fulfilled his potential.

The Dutchman was a big money acquisition from Southampton in January 2018.

Many questioned the massive fee the Reds paid for his signature.

But Klopp believes that Van Dijk has repaid his transfer fee and then some.

"I cannot say that I watched him for the last six years and thought 'ahh I wait a little bit longer and then I get him' but the two years he played at Southampton before he got injured, that was really incredible," Klopp told the Liverpool Echo.

"I saw something of him at Celtic, but I didn't see this world-class player, already. I saw a very-good centre-half, but I didn't need one at that time.

"And then when we needed him in the moment, it was clear, he can make the next step with us. The way we play, where everyone is responsible for everything, it gives defenders the chance to improve a lot because it is not like they are alone a lot of times on the pitch and have to sort it for you.

"There are moments but it doesn't happen a lot because we defend really as a unit. That makes life a bit easier but anyway, he has gone from a world-class potential to a world-class player. There's still a step to go but he made this step and he deserves all these awards, that is how it is.

"There was no one really who was better and it is nice."