Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has admitted that he has not yet decided when Virgil van Dijk will make his debut for the Reds.
Van Dijk has recently become the world's most expensive defender courtesy of his £75m switch from Southampton.
The centre-back was not involved in Liverpool's 2-1 win over Burnley in the Premier League on New Year's Day, but has been tipped to feature in the FA Cup against Everton on Friday night.
Klopp, however, said that he 'did not know' when Van Dijk would feature as there is currently "no rush" for the Netherlands international to take to the field.
"I don't know. We made a few tests that make sense only for him and for us, to see where he stands. That's all. There is no rush. He is on fire and he really wants it, that's all good, but we have to make sure he can perform," Klopp told reporters.
"Centre-half is a position which depends on all the others on the pitch. There are a few challenges you have to solve by yourself, all the rest is always together. That means you have to tune it so it works really together.
"We need time. A pre-season is for that usually but we don't have a pre-season. Everything will be fine. After the Everton game we have a little bit more time, that will help, but it's a long-term project – so it's not important when he makes his first game, it's important how many good games he will play for Liverpool. That's what I'm interested in."
Van Dijk was also linked with Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea before making the move to Liverpool.
Matt Law
