Jurgen Klopp hails new Virgil van Dijk deal as "absolutely great news"

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has hailed Virgil van Dijk's new deal as "absolutely great news" for the club.

The former Southampton man penned a new four-year deal at Anfield until 2025 after seeing Alisson Becker, Fabinho and Trent Alexander-Arnold extend their stays earlier in the summer.

Van Dijk has been building up his fitness in pre-season after suffering a devastating ACL injury last year, and Klopp expressed his delight at tying the centre-back down to a new deal.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Saturday's Premier League opener with Norwich City, Klopp said: "It's great news. We are really happy that he is happy here. It's absolutely great news.

"He had a difficult year last year. He is back on track and he prepares for hopefully a successful future. Imagine if we had to buy this boy now! Thankfully we only have to give him a new contract."

Klopp has also confirmed that Van Dijk is in contention to start against the Canaries at Carrow Road in the opening weekend.