“The Reds have agreed a deal with the south coast club, and the player himself, that will see the 26-year-old defender move to Anfield when the transfer window re-opens on January 1, 2018.

“The Netherlands international will be assigned squad number four, upon his arrival at Liverpool.”

Excitement is understandably palpable now at Anfield.

They already have one of the most feared attacks in the league, they play some delightfully cutting football but the one area – the massive area – that’s constantly been letting them down is leaks at the other end.

The arrival of van Dijk is a huge step towards finally rectifying that and the fact that City and United were said to be interested is another win for Klopp.

It’s such a big win that Jamie Carragher doesn’t even think he compares to the Dutch defender. Not in a few areas at least – you know, on the ground and in the air and on the ball…