Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk has broken his silence regarding the transfer talks that eventually took him to the club.

The Dutchman, then with Southampton, was the subject of serious interest from top Premier League clubs, including Chelsea and Manchester City.

However, Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp won the race for his signature, which eventually went through in January 2018.

"There were rumours at the time that Man City were in for you and other clubs as well. Why did you choose Liverpool that time?" Manchester United legend Gary Neville asked during Sky's The Overlap.

"There were rumours that Jurgen Klopp was doing a big job on you in terms of contacting you and sending you videos. Is that true? Go on, you can tell us now!"

“I know you want to hear all this stuff!" Van Dijk replied.

"The reason I chose Liverpool is I really wanted to play for a club that lives and breathes football, and also the project. In the end when I spoke to Jurgen Klopp, the message was also what he wants from me and what he wants from me in the future was something that made me even more hungry to come here.

“I think everyone from the outside world felt there were a couple of pieces missing towards the success that Liverpool could have again. It's never guaranteed but he saw that I was definitely a piece to the puzzle.

“As were the others we got in the summer, for example Alisson and Fabinho. The importance he put in me and me I was going to be was definitely a big boost. 'We want to get you or we don't get anyone.' That was a big message for me."