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Virgil van Dijk offered a helping hand in signing Florian Wirtz(Image: Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk told Florian Wirtz that 'Liverpool is the place to be' in a call ahead of the German star completing his transfer to Anfield.

The Reds defender revealed he was one of a number of Liverpool players to plead their case to the former Bayer Leverkusen attacker before he agreed to a record transfer.

Wirtz joined the Premier League champions in a British record £116million deal and signed a five-year contract with the club.



Liverpool saw off competition from the likes of Bayern Munich and Manchester City to secure the 22-year-old's signature.

Van Dijk, who extended his own deal at Anfield earlier this year, played a role in pitching Liverpool to Wirtz as the Germany international weighed up his future plans.

He’s getting there and it’s good to see.”

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Asked what he said in order to convince Wirtz, during their call, Van Dijk added: "Ah, you want to know that!

It's a marked contrast from the Dutch coach's first summer which only saw Federico Chiesa arrive.

Florian Wirtz was a blockbuster signing for the Reds(Image: Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Van Dijk has been impressed with the club's business as they attempt to retain the Premier League title.

“Yeah, I don’t think it’s been a bad transfer window in terms of the additions that we have made and the money we’ve spent.

The club is obviously trying to improve our squad," he said.

“The Premier League is incredibly strong so it’s only right that we have to improve too.
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