Van Dijk will make his first official appearance at Leicester game
By David Gate
New Liverpool signing Virgil van Dijk will make his first official appearance as a Liverpool player on Saturday in the Premier League game against Leicester City.
The most we’ve seen of Virgil van Dijk so far as Liverpool player is a picture of him holding a shirt in front of his Christmas tree. Now we have confirmation that he will be attending Saturday’s EPL game against Leicester at Anfield.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdNxYbwHLXX/?hl=en&taken-by=virgilvandijk
While we get to wave and cheer for him in the stands it sadly won’t be for him on the pitch. Liverpool have to wait until January 1st 2018 to make the signing official. The Reds are playing Burnley on that day but it is more likely that the player makes his debut against Everton in the FA Cup or against Man City in the Premier League the following week.
There should be an incredible buzz at Anfield on Saturday. Liverpool are unbeaten in 14 games and are coming off a comprehensive victory against Swansea on Boxing Day. Holiday fixtures always have an extra level of excitement but the appearance of van Dijk will give it even more.
The fans have been longing for a dominate, physical center back ever since Mamadou Sakho lost favor at the club. They finally have one in van Dijk. And just like buses, we have been waiting for one and (potentially) three come at once.
Liverpool are working hard to agree a deal for FC Basel center back Manuel Akanji. The Swiss side do not want to let him go in January but Liverpool have already shown they are willing to make deals for the future with van DIjk and Naby Keita.
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The club are reportedly also pursuing Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte. Barcelona and Real Madrid are interested in the young star and so Liverpool are trying to get the jump on them but moving in January rather than wait for a bidding war in the summer.