Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren says he is happy playing with club-record signing Virgil van Dijk. Given the club’s defensive frailties this season, the Reds broke their transfer record last month, splashing an eye-watering £75m to sign Van Dijk from Southampton.

Following a slightly shaky start, the Dutchman has delivered some commendable performances at the heart of Liverpool’s defence. The 26-year-old seems to have settled in well now and fellow defender Dejan Lovren claims he is delighted to play with Van Dijk.

“To be honest, I didn’t expect that we would be so quick [to settle] together,” Lovren was quoted by the Daily Star.

“But when you are a top centre-back I think it is normal – and Virgil is one of them. Of course, he needs some time to adapt because Southampton to Liverpool is different. But he understands what the manager wants, although sometimes I have to remind him also.”

Lovren was at the heart of criticism earlier in the season as his regular mistakes cost us a number of points. However, the Croatian has done well in recent months, and he feels that squad rotation is an important aspect of every club.

The Reds have been knocked out from the EFL Cup and FA Cup but have a good chance to challenge for the Champions League. The boys trounced FC Porto 5-0 last week in the first-leg and by doing we have virtually claimed a quarter-finals berth in the competition.

“When you’re fit you want to play every game. But with the games week in week out, it’s not possible to play every game at your best level,” Lovren added.

“Some changes are important and the manager knows when a player is fully fit or he’s a little bit tired. He has done it quite well with all these rotations.

“We learned from last year that you can’t keep all the same players (playing). Somebody will break and we will have many injuries. This season we have managed it quite well.”

I genuinely feel we have the artillery in our team to beat any club and go on to win the Champions League this season. Our gaffer also senses that opportunity but the overall focus, for now, will be on Saturday’s Premier League game against West Ham at Anfield.