Liverpool have been linked with a move for Virgil van Dijk in the summer and Anfield legend John Barnes claims that Jurgen Klopp needs to bring the Dutch defender to the club despite the hefty £50 million asking price.

Van Dijk has turned out to become one of the best defenders in the league and a number of sides are looking to sign the former Celtic defender.

Manchester United, Manchester City and a few others would be involved in a battle to sign the Southampton star up and Barnes is convinced of Van Dijk’s quality.

“I’ve seen enough of him from when he was at Celtic to know that Van Dijk is a very talented defender. It would be great. He’s a quality player,” Barnes told the Liverpool Echo.

“I think Jurgen Klopp does like him and if he comes to Liverpool I think that would be a good signing.”

Barnes also had his say regarding the price-tag that the Dutchman carries but backs Klopp in his transfer dealings.

“It doesn’t matter how much it takes. You can sign a good player for £5m or a good player for £50m. If that’s the market value, it’s the market value.

“I’m more interested in the qualities that a player could bring to the team rather than the transfer fee.

“Of course if it doesn’t work out then it’s a lot of money to spend on a failure. But whenever you sign a player there’s a risk.

“Paul Pogba was £90m. Has Pogba played like the best footballer in the world? No, but he’s a good player who can help Manchester United in the future.

“If it takes spending £50m to get Van Dijk and Klopp wants to do that and believes that’s the right deal for the club then I’d back him.”

Van Dijk would certainly be a great signing for the Reds should it take place. Liverpool haven’t had the best of times keeping the opposition from scoring but if Klopp and the board are on the same page, the Dutchman would become the next Saint to wear Liverpool’s Red.