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Virgil van Dijk says he can handle the scrutiny that comes with being the most expensive defender in world football.

The Dutch centre-back admits he has felt “all the eyes” on him following his £75million move to Liverpool from Southampton last month.

However, Van Dijk insists he’s loving life at Anfield and has praised Jurgen Klopp and his team-mates for helping him settle in.

“I am enjoying every day and every bit of it, training and playing with these guys and working with the manager,” he said.

“I am enjoying every bit of what the fans are doing for me - always supporting me.

“My family loves it as well and that’s very important. Obviously, there are so many eyes on me but I am just keeping my head down and playing.

“Everybody can say what they want but I am working hard every day and I am getting back to where I need to be with the help of everyone here. I am just doing my thing.”

It’s been an eventful start to his Liverpool career. He nodded home a dramatic late winner on his debut against Everton before missing the win over Manchester City due to a tight hamstring.

Van Dijk returned to action in the defeat at Swansea and then struggled in the FA Cup exit at the hands of West Brom. Rested for the victory at Huddersfield, he was highly impressive after being recalled for Sunday’s thrilling 2-2 draw with Tottenham.

(Image: Jason Roberts)

Liverpool’s record signing insists he doesn’t feel the weight of that hefty price tag on his shoulders, but admits the change in style has taken some getting used to.

“I can’t do anything about the fee so it is pretty easy for me. I am pretty calm on that,” he said.

“You are always going to have that but the most important thing is what happens at Melwood and what happens here with the people who care about the team.

“Other people around – fans of other clubs, pundits – they can have their opinions, but it doesn’t really bother me.

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“With the football we play, the pressing, the different options with players, it is totally different here.

“So you need time to get used to everything but I am working on it every day together with the team.

“I am talking with the manager and everyone who can help me out. I want to improve and get the maximum out of myself and that is what I am going to do.”

Van Dijk’s fitness has also been the subject of debate. Kop legend and Sky pundit Jamie Carragher believes he has been hampered by not having a pre-season with Saints.

“I think it will prove to be a great signing, but he hasn’t hit the ground running,” Carragher said following the defeat to West Brom. “I think he needs to get fit and lose a bit of weight.”

The 6ft 4ins defender laughed that off but acknowledged that he needs time before he’s operating at his top level. He missed the second half of last season with Saints due to an ankle injury and has only started 13 Premier League games so far this term.

Van Dijk joked: “He (Carragher) needs to come into the dressing room and he can see if I need to lose some weight because I don’t think I need to lose some weight!

“I have been out for eight months - last January until September really and I didn’t play at Premier League level.

(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

“It is not easy to come back, especially when I have made such a big step as now with all the eyes on me and they look at every small detail.

“I am just focusing on the team and myself. Other people will talk and have their opinions. There is nothing I can do about that. I will just try and enjoy my game and enjoy being here and that is what I am definitely doing.”

Klopp believes it will be next season before Van Dijk is at his best but the commanding centre-back doesn’t expect to be cut much slack.

“You are always going to be judged but it is not like it is something really strange at the moment,” he added.

“I know because I made such a big step right now, for a lot of money, everything is going to analysed.

“No-one is going to look at the good things that you do. Everybody is going to watch the bad things and that’s how it is.

“But I will discuss it with the people who want to make me better, who can make me better, that is the manager and the players around me. If they think it is right then that is the way forward.”

Van Dijk’s career has been on an upward curve since he left Groningen in his homeland to sign for Celtic in 2013.

(Image: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

When he moved on to Southampton two years later, he proved he could deliver in the Premier League. His outstanding form attracted serious interest from the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea but his heart was set on playing for Klopp’s Liverpool.

Every step of the way he has embraced the challenge facing him and silenced his critics.

Sunday’s contest showcased his leadership qualities as he expertly organised a backline which kept Spurs at bay before Victor Wanyama’s stunning strike and the controversial penalty decisions.

“It is a strength of mine to not really bother too much when people have their opinions, especially negative opinions,” he said.

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“I know when I am doing it well and exactly when I am doing it wrong. That is what I am working on and obviously no-one will talk about my performance (against Spurs) in general.

“We defended very well, had two penalties against us with a lot of question marks around them. I know that as a team and the players around me we did very well against one of the best strikers in Europe.”

The stalemate ensured Liverpool remain two points clear of Tottenham and Van Dijk believes he has seen enough over the past month to believe Klopp’s side will go on to achieve a top-four finish.

“It is tight and every game is a final,” he said.

“I am full of confidence that we will definitely get there.

“It starts next week for us again. It is good that we didn’t lose but we should have won I think. We were unlucky.”