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 laborious work has to proceed throughout the squad.

Simply a few hours earlier than the 4-2 win over Bournemouth, who exploited a number 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 working.

Liverpool have held talks with Palace about Marc Guehi, who’s within the remaining 12 months of his contract, however can’t agree on a payment.

With Newcastle and Arsenal to come back earlier than the top 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 possibly can say you need to speed up it (enchancment) however that’s all the way down to the market. We now have to concentrate on 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 feel it (defensively) was rather more improved than the final sport however there’s nonetheless work to do.

“The supervisor already mentioned we’re enjoying with a right-back (Jeremie Frimpong) who got here from the Bundesliga, is 24 years previous and is making an attempt to get used to how we defend, we play with Milos (Kerkez) who’s a really younger full-back, very keen and filled with vitality, who’s making an attempt to get used to the best way 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 primary factor, making an attempt to maintain clear sheets. We conceded two targets in a transition second the place we’ve to do higher. That’s what we’ve to work on.”

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

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

“I feel he settled fairly nice within the group normally, everyone knows the lifetime of a striker – you may 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 laborious and has been unfortunate with accidents however we’re all right here for him and everyone knows what sort of affect he may have.

“He’s an awesome character and all of us love him, I feel everybody can see that, and he’s beloved by the followers, and to provide moments like he has in the present day is one thing all of us need to see.”