Analyzing the 5 most expensive defenders in the history of football

#1 Virgil Van Dijk- Southampton to Liverpool

Van Dijk's move to Liverpool makes him the most expensive defender of all time

Season: 2017/18 (Winter Transfer Window)

Transfer fee: €84.0m

Van Dijk will move to Liverpool for a record fee when the winter transfer window opens on the 1st of January. The joint-seventh most expensive signing of all time will be the most expensive defender ever surpassing Mendy's by a whopping €35m.

In this inflated market, no transfer is overpriced, Liverpool desperately needs a defender and Southampton have made money out of Liverpool's desperation.

The Netherlands international has shown at Celtic and Southampton that he is competent enough to lead the back line, this is why Liverpool had to shell out a record fee to get him ahead of Chelsea and Manchester City

What are his strengths? When it comes to an aerial duel, Van Dilk is probably the best defender in the world. He hasn't made a single mistake which led to a goal in the last three seasons something which Dejan Lovren alone has made three of such mistakes in the same time frame.

An assured defender is what Liverpool needs now to provide solidity and balance at the back. In order to give the forward line free reign to destroy opponents, they need a defender who can handle himself in one-on-one situations.

I looked at career aerial duel win rates last Summer and filtering to centre backs only, VVD was 98th percentile despite playing in leagues with lots of big strikers.If you want to fix a known weakness against set plays and high balls he's your man.

— Dan Kennett (@DanKennett) December 27, 2017

Liverpool's defence is the chink in their armour and Klopp must be hoping that Van Dijk can make an instant impact for the Reds in helping them to finish in the top four this season.