Virgil van Dijk shrugs off "negative opinions"

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has said that he does not listen to "negative opinions" following his £75m move from Southampton.

The Dutchman, who became the world's most expensive defender as a result of the transfer, conceded a late penalty that cost the Reds a victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

The 26-year-old said, however, that he can deal with criticism after coming under the spotlight since moving to Anfield.

"I know because I made such a big step, for a lot of money, everything is going to be analysed," Van Dijk told reporters. "No-one is going to look at the good things you do. Everybody is going to watch the bad things and that is how it is.

"It is a strength of mine to not really bother too much when people have their opinions, especially negative opinions. I know when I am doing it well and exactly when I am doing it wrong. No one will talk about my performance [against Spurs] in general.

"We defended very well, had two penalties against us with a lot of question marks around them, but no one is going to talk about that."

Liverpool are currently third in the Premier League table, five points behind Manchester United.