Virgil van Dijk poses in a Liverpool shirt for the first time

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

The Reds splashed out a record-breaking deal for the Dutch defender in December 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.

His record-breaking move to Liverpool was finalised on Wednesday, and he said then: 'Delighted and honoured to have agreed to become a Liverpool player.

'Today is a proud day for me and my family as I join one of the biggest clubs in world football!

'I can't wait to pull on the famous red shirt for the first time in front of the Kop and will give everything I have to try and help this great club achieve something special in the years to come.

'I would also like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Les Reed, the board, manager, players and fans and everyone at Southampton.

'I will always be indebted to the club for giving me the opportunity to play in the Premier League and despite a difficult last few months I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Saints and have made friends for life at the club. Thank you for everything.

'Thank you for all the messages of support. I'm now looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and getting started.'

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.

'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.'