Virgil van Dijk says signing defender will help ‘accelerate’ improvement – Liverpool FC

Virgil van Dijk admits signing one other defender would “speed up” their instant enchancment however till the membership return into the market the onerous work has to proceed throughout the squad.

Simply a few hours earlier than the 4-2 win over Bournemouth, who exploited a few of the weaknesses on the again highlighted by Crystal Palace within the Neighborhood Defend final weekend, the Reds introduced the signing of Parma’s 18-year-old central defender Giovanni Leoni.

His six-year contract hints on the membership’s expectation for him to be a longer-term success however what they would love to do is herald a Premier League-proven participant to hit the bottom operating.

Liverpool have held talks with Palace about Marc Guehi, who’s within the closing yr of his contract, however can’t agree on a charge.

With Newcastle and Arsenal to return earlier than the tip of the window, Liverpool captain Van Dijk mentioned within the absence of a fast repair it was incumbent on the gamers to tighten up after twice being simply uncovered.

“You’ll be able to say you must speed up it (enchancment) however that’s right down to the market. We now have to give attention to what’s right here and now,” he mentioned after seeing forgotten man Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah rescue three factors for the champions’ title defence after permitting a 2-0 result in slip.

“I believe it (defensively) was way more improved than the final sport however there may be nonetheless work to do.

“The supervisor already mentioned we’re taking part in with a right-back (Jeremie Frimpong) who got here from the Bundesliga, is 24 years previous and is attempting to get used to how we defend, we play with Milos (Kerkez) who’s a really younger full-back, very keen and stuffed with power, who’s attempting to get used to the way in which we play.

“It wants time, that’s completely regular, however we additionally performed with out our six, Ryan Gravenberch, who missed out (with suspension).

“We now have to maintain working, that’s the principle factor, attempting to maintain clear sheets. We conceded two objectives in a transition second the place we have now to do higher. That’s what we have now to work on.”

Van Dijk, nonetheless, was completely satisfied to see new £69million striker Hugo Ekitike open his Premier League account, after his objective at Wembley final week, and Chiesa produce a second which solely endeared him extra to followers determined for him to do properly after an injury-plagued first season.

“I’m glad he (Ekitike) scored his second in two video games. I’m glad he has received off the mark within the Premier League and hopefully there may be extra to return,” he added.

“I believe he settled fairly nice within the crew normally, everyone knows the lifetime of a striker – you’ll be able to rating and all the things is rainbows and sunshine – and also you don’t and it’s a distinct world.

“He simply has to maintain his head down, scoring and making assists, and be spectacular in defending and attacking and see what the season brings for him.”

On Chiesa, he added: “Fede is an incredible character, he works so onerous and has been unfortunate with accidents however we’re all right here for him and everyone knows what sort of influence he might have.

“He’s an amazing character and all of us love him, I believe everybody can see that, and he’s beloved by the followers, and to provide moments like he has right now is one thing all of us need to see.”