That is the view of BBC pundit and former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy.

Van Dijk joined the Reds from Southampton for a world-record fee for a defender of £75million earlier this month.

Coutinho could be on his way out of Liverpool for double that, with Barcelona desperate to land the Brazilian playmaker in this transfer window.

Van Dijk made his Liverpool debut in the FA Cup third round clash against Merseyside rivals Everton at Anfield tonight.

Murphy believes he will prove to be a good signing and has told Liverpool fans to keep an eye on his free-kick taking ability.

“Well he’s a big presence, he’s a good footballer, he’s better than what they’ve got basically,” Murphy said on BBC One.

“People have questioned his leadership qualities, I’ve watched him quite a bit and I know someone who knows him quite well and they’ve said they’re not worried about that aspect of his game. 

“I know tonight he was desperate to play, I know Jurgen Klopp had a chat with him and he was all for playing. 

“He’s not 100 per cent in terms of minutes and games and where he wants to be, but he was desperate to play tonight which is credit to him. 

“I’m looking forward, especially with Philippe Coutinho’s predicament, if he’s going to get on free kicks tonight. 

“I don’t know if you’ve seen him take free kicks.”