Virgil van Dijk’s reign as the world’s most expensive defender was officially ended as Harry Maguire completed an £80million move to Manchester United on Monday.

But the Liverpool centre-back has insisted that his successor is not under additional pressure as a result of his eye-catching price tag, arguing that high expectations will account for most of the mental burden at Old Trafford.

Van Dijk had held the title of most expensive defender since completing a £75m switch from Southampton to Anfield in January 2018 - a transfer that served to transform the Reds’ fortunes.

On the prospect of giving it up to Maguire, he said: “Good luck to him. I can’t say anything about that because there was always going to be a time when it was going to change. That’s the market.

“He doesn’t have any influence on that but I wish him well.

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“The price comes with pressure but it doesn’t change too much because you always have pressure at big clubs like Man United. But I wish him well.”

Maguire arrives at Old Trafford following a journey that began at Sheffield United and has since seen him represent both Hull and Leicester.

And Van Dijk has some advice for the Englishman on how to deal with the step up to a club where his every move will be scrutinised.

“It is not easy to completely shut off all the pressure. Personally, I like to put things in perspective,” he added.

“Quite a lot of things are more important than playing football and what we do, we are blessed.

“We can do what we love to do and also to play for Liverpool – they are such a big club. You need to enjoy it but the pressure will always be there.

“Just focus on doing what you love to do and play your best game. Get your qualities out of the pitch, enjoy your game and don’t think about the other things.”

Van Dijk helped Liverpool claim the biggest honour in European football last season but insists his hunger for trophies has not been sated by that success.

The Dutchman wants to see improved performances in the domestic cups this time around, as well as a renewed assault on the Premier League and Champions League.

He continued: “We have spoken about a lot of things, but the main thing is that we are starting over. Last year was last year.

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“Everybody was still enjoying having won the Champions League when we came back, but straightaway it was down to playing again, and starting from scratch.

“Well, not completely from scratch, but it was time to start to get back to work and making sure he got the most from us.

“We want to compete in all competitions. It is something we aim for. We won the Champions League last year but if you look at the other competitions we played we did not do too great.

“We are going to give it a go and try to get as far as possible in all of the competitions and everybody starting each competition will be trying their hardest.”

That the Premier League eluded Van Dijk and co last term was particularly significant given that it stretched the Reds’ wait for a league championship into a 30th year.

Asked about that drought, he added: “Yeah, but I have only been here for one and a half of those.

“The traditional top six all want to win the Premier League and so do we. Last year we were close and we are going to try again.

“You saw on Sunday the standard is going to be very high, but we will go for it.”