Virgil van Dijk explains why he has taken No 4 shirt at Liverpool in first full interview
VIRGIL VAN DIJK has revealed why he has taken the No 4 shirt at Liverpool.
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He wore the No 17 at Southampton but will don the No 4 shirt when he makes his Reds bow.
And it's all down to following in the footsteps of Kop legend Sami Hyypia.
In his first full interview since joining Liverpool, Van Dijk said: "I had No.4 when I played for Groningen back in Holland, so I was always a big fan of No.4 anyway.
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"Unfortunately at Southampton, my good friend Jordy Clasie had No.4, so I didn’t want to take it from him!
"I just like No.4. Obviously here, Sami Hyypia had it here as well and played for my team where I played 10 years in Holland, Willem II, so it’s a bit special."
Van Dijk has twice played at Anfield and he now can't wait to do so in a Liverpool shirt.
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He said: "Anfield is a very special stadium and it is my home right now as well. I am just looking forward to being on the pitch, especially as a [home] player at the stadium.
"It’s going to be nice, especially the evening games and the European nights.
"I feel ready now. Obviously I didn’t play the last two games for Southampton, but I feel ready.
"I am looking forward to getting stuck in, make sure I get my chance and just play."
