Van Dijk revels in stunning turnaround

Twelve months ago Virgil van Dijk watched the Champions League final and could only dream, as a Southampton player, what it would be like to play in one.

A year on and the Netherlands international is about to find out, having helped Liverpool secure their first appearance in the showpiece event for 11 years — just four months after arriving at Anfield in a £75m (€84.8m) deal.

“I watched the Champions League final last year in Cardiff with a very good friend of mine. To be in the final now, it’s special,” said the Dutchman after booking a meeting with 12-time winners and defending champions Real Madrid in Kiev later this month.