So, the transfer record for a defender has been shattered once again.

In the summer, Manchester City made all the headlines in acquiring Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy for around £50m apiece, breaking the record twice.

However, Liverpool have dwarfed the £52m paid to Monaco for Mendy, splashing an astronomical £75m on Southampton's Virgil van Dijk.

The Reds were desperate to land the Dutch international in the summer, but were rebuffed by the Saints time and time again. They even had to issue a public apology for 'tapping up'.

However, Van Dijk will now join up with the squad on January 1, with the general consensus being that he will be the first name on the team sheet in defence.

There is no doubting his talent but, can a player with a lack of experience at the top, top level really cope with such an enormous price tag?

Well, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has addressed this issue and has instructed Van Dijk to emulate one Premier League legend in order to thrive under such responsibility.

The man in question? Manchester United icon, Rio Ferdinand.

CARRAGHER'S VAN DIJK ORDERS

"The one centre-back when the transfer fee felt so huge at the time was 15 years ago when Rio Ferdinand went to Manchester United," the former Reds player said.

"But he repaid that. He was Manchester United's top centre-back, won trophies and was there for 10 years.

"That is what Van Dijk has to do, take Liverpool to trophies and be Liverpool's No 1 centre-back for the next decade or so."

If the Dutchman can do that, £75m will look like an absolute bargain.

Despite the enormous fee, no one can disagree that Liverpool have made a huge statement in the market, with Jurgen Klopp seemingly hell bent on building a squad capable of competing for all major honours.

Highly-rated Naby Keita will move to Anfield in the summer after a £48m fee was agreed with RB Leipzig in the summer.

If they can somehow keep Philippe Coutinho at the club, Liverpool may have the resources to challenge Manchester City for the title next season.