FOOTBALL UPDATE

After spending considerably less money in recruiting players, several clubs opt to sell prized assets in order to earn a handsome profit.  Here are the 10 biggest mark-ups in European football.  10) Everton (2017) - ROMELU LUKAKU - Mark up: £40m Chelsea – Everton £28m (2014), Everton – Manchester United £75m (2017) 9) Juventus (2001) - ZINEDINE ZIDANE - Mark up: £45m Bordeaux – Juventus £3m (1996), Juventus – Real Madrid £48m (2001)   8) Liverpool (2014) - LUIS SUAREZ - Mark up: £52.2m  Ajax – Liverpool £22.8m (2011), Liverpool – Barcelona £75m (2014)   7) Southampton (2018) - VIRGIL VAN DIJK - Mark up: £62m Celtic – Southampton £13m (2015), Southampton – Liverpool £75m (2018) 6) Manchester United (2009) - CRISTIANO RONALDO - Mark-up: £63m  Sporting Lisbon – Manchester United £17m (2003), Manchester United – Real Madrid £80m (2009) 5) Tottenham (2013) - GARETH BALE - Mark-up: £76m Southampton – ...

Virgil van Dijk was ecstatic to mark his "dream" Liverpool debut with the winning goal in Friday's FA Cup triumph over rivals Everton.  The world's most expensive defender, who completed his move from Southampton for £75million this month, headed in the winner six minutes from time to settle a fiery Merseyside derby at Anfield. He had earlier seen a similar chance go begging as he nodded into the arms of Jordan Pickford, but was left beaming with joy at the end as his late intervention made it 2-1. "What a night," the Dutchman told BBC Sport. "It was thoroughly deserved, it felt amazing to be out there. The goal is very special for me and my family. "Playing at Anfield for Liverpool is a dream for every player. To score a goal is even more special." Derby debut. Late winner. Scores in front of the Kop. pic.twitter.com/gVLG3VBnat — Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 5, 2018 James Milner, who put the hosts 1-0 up from the spot afte...

Liverpool have recruited a ‘really high-quality player’ in Virgil van Dijk, according to Roberto Firmino, who is looking forward to playing with, rather than against, the Dutchman. Van Dijk, who finalised his move to Anfield on New Year’s Day, established himself as one of the Premier League’s leading defenders during his two-and-a-half-season spell with Southampton. And, after lining up in opposition to his new teammate on four occasions since joining the Reds in the summer of 2015, Firmino is delighted to now share a dressing room with Van Dijk.  “He’s a really, really good defender. It’s always really hard playing against him. It’s very hard, he marks very tightly and I just think he’s a really, really high-quality player,” the Brazil forward said. Expanding on the areas of Van Dijk’s game he appreciates and detailing what attributes he expects the No.4 to bring to Jürgen Klopp’s squad, Firmino continued: “I think in addition to the fact he’s very physical, it’s his p...

As Liverpool continued their preparations for Friday's clash with Everton, there was a fresh face training among Jurgen Klopp's squad. Virgil van Dijk, who became the world's most expensive defender when he completed a £75million move from Southampton this month, joined his team-mates for the first time on Wednesday night. The defender could make his debut in the FA Cup third round on Friday. And he appeared in good spirits ahead of the Merseyside derby at Anfield. As Liverpool continued their preparations for Friday's clash with Everton, there was a fresh face training among Jurgen Klopp's squad. Virgil van Dijk, who became the world's most expensive defender when he completed a £75million move from Southampton this month, joined his team-mates for the first time on Wednesday night. The defender could make his debut in the FA Cup third round on Friday. And he appeared in good spirits ahead of the Merseyside derby at Anfield. Van Dijk took part...

An agreement in place and Liverpool will pay 75 million pounds (85 million euros), for Southampton's Virgil Van Dijk.  Manchester City, Barcelona and Chelsea were all beaten to the centre-back's signature despite registering interest. "The Reds have agreed a deal with the south coast club, and the player himself, that will see the 26-year-old defender move to Anfield when the transfer window re-opens on January 1, 2018," Liverpool said in a statement. "The Netherlands international will be assigned squad number four, upon his arrival at Liverpool." The English media highlighted that Van Dijk was very close to City, however, Jurgen Klopp's influence has believed to have swayed the deal. The Dutchman was left out of the Southampton squad and, finally, his situation has been resolved.

Liverpool have agreed a £75million deal for Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk. Both clubs took to Twitter on Wednesday night to confirm that they have agreed a deal for the Dutchman, who is expected to pocket around £180,000 per week at Anfield. The deal will be completed when the transfer window reopens on January 1, 2018. The fee is a world record sum for a defender, breaking the previous record of £52m set when Manchester City lured Benjamin Mendy away from French champions Monaco during the summer. Liverpool attempted to sign the Van Dijk last summer, but were forced to withdraw their interest when the 'Saints' threatened to report them for an 'illegal approach'. Jurgen Klopp's side had been prepared to pay £60m for the player then, but given their occasional defensive woes so far this campaign and the bad blood between the sides they have been forced to up their offer in order to agree a deal, with former club Celtic expected to make...