Former midfielder Jamie Redknapp has suggested that Liverpool required a new centre-back more than they needed to keep Philippe Coutinho at Anfield.
At the start of 2018, Liverpool confirmed the arrival of Virgil van Dijk from Southampton, before Coutinho was allowed to join Barcelona in a deal worth over £140m.
The departure of Coutinho is regarded as a significant blow to their hopes of closing the gap on the two Manchester clubs, but Redknapp has claimed that Van Dijk is capable of taking Liverpool to "the next level".
The 44-year-old told Sky Sports News: "They sold Coutinho to Barcelona for a huge fee, £146m, and have brought in Virgil van Dijk for £75m - a player they badly needed. Ultimately, they needed a centre-back more than they needed Coutinho.
"If they can get Van Dijk to the level they're hoping they can get him to and he can be the leader they need in that defence, then he can elevate them to the next level. And then, next season, they can look to compete with Manchester City.
"Given Liverpool's strength in attack and weaknesses at the back, it looks like it has been a great trade for them."
Van Dijk is expected to make his Premier League debut for Liverpool when they face Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium on Monday night.
Darren Plant
