Liverpool midfielder Gini Wijnaldum believes there's many managers now regret ignoring Virgil van Dijk.

Van Dijk, 27, started his career with Groningen before moving first to Celtic and then Southampton.

When Liverpool paid £75million for the Dutchman last January, he became the world's most expensive defender. Wijdaldum said: “Virgil was quite late in his development.

“He went from Groningen and normally players then go to one of top three sides in Holland.

“But he went to Celtic and, step by step, he started getting better and better.

“We already saw he was doing well, but he has adapted so well everywhere that he has been.

“And now maybe there are more than a few clubs who regret not trying to sign him earlier."