That question is posed by the £75m signing of Virgil van Dijk by Liverpool from Southampton. It is believed that he will be paid £180,000 a week. Traditionally, it is strikers who have commanded the big transfer fees. To win matches you have to score goals. Moreover, in terms of attracting sponsors, a marquee signing of a striker gives a club a high profile. However, to win matches you also have to avoid conceding too many goals and defensive fragility has been Liverpool's problem. One player won't solve that, but he will provide much needed leadership. Southampton tend to end up selling their best players, usually at a good profit. That gives the club financial stability, even if it puts paid to any hopes of pushing on to the next level. The risk for a solid mid-table club is getting sucked into a relegation battle, and it is a risk that the Saints face at the moment. The price of defenders has been going up over time. In 1998 Jap Stam commanded £10.6m when he went ...