Van Dijk says Isak should focus on Liverpool role, downplays fee

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has urged new signing Alexander Isak to embrace his role at Anfield while downplaying the significance of the Sweden striker's British record fee, as the 25 year old made his debut in Liverpool's 3-2 Champions League win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. Van Dijk, who scored a last gasp headed winner to secure the victory, said the dressing room would not dwell on transfer figures and that Isak should focus on performing for the team.

Speaking to reporters before the match and again in the mixed zone afterwards, Van Dijk acknowledged that the 125 million pound transfer price creates external pressure but insisted it is not for team-mates to discuss. "Obviously it comes with the price tag and the price tag we have no control over," he said. "That creates a pressure but it's down to him. With us, we don't speak about those things. We want to perform, we want to show we have the quality to play on the highest level, to play for Liverpool and in the Champions League, for him to hopefully score a lot of goals and that's it."

Van Dijk lavished praise on Isak's technical qualities, calling him "a complete striker" and highlighting his finishing with...