Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk urges Alexander Isak to embrace pressure

Isak is set for his Liverpool debut at home to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday after completing a deadline-day move from Newcastle.

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk (Peter Byrne/PA)

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk accepts British record signing Alexander Isak’s transfer fee creates its own pressure but he told the £125million striker to enjoy being the team’s new number nine.

Van Dijk, speaking with a degree of experience having moved to Anfield in January 2018 for a then world-record £75m fee for a defender, said players had no influence over the cost of transfers so it was not a subject for discussion within the dressing room.