This archive report was first published on 6 August 2019.
Manchester United's Harry Maguire has become the world's most expensive defender after joining the club for £80 million, a record that Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk knows all too well.
Van Dijk held the record when he joined Liverpool from Southampton for £75 million in 2018, and he has offered words of wisdom to Maguire on how to handle the pressure that comes with such a hefty price tag.
“The price comes with pressure but it doesn’t change too much because you always have pressure at big clubs like Man United,” Van Dijk said in a recent interview.
Van Dijk, who has been a key player for Liverpool since joining the club, has found that being able to keep things in perspective has helped him cope with the pressure and the occasional wind-up from opponents.
“Quite a lot of things are more important than playing football,” he added. “You need to enjoy it but the pressure will always be there.
“Just focus on doing what you love to do and play your best game. Get your qualities out on the pitch, enjoy your game and don’t think about the other things.
“If opponents have a go during the game because you cost that much, what can you do? I’m not listening to them. It does not change anything in my head.”
