Liverpool makes Van Dijk world's priciest defender

Reds splash $100m on Dutchman as they bid to plug leaky defense

Liverpool is breaking the world transfer record for a defender by signing Virgil van Dijk from Southampton in a $100 million move.

Following the Reds' lengthy pursuit of the 26-year-old Netherlands centerback, Southampton announced on Wednesday that it accepted the record fee ahead of the opening of the January transfer window.