Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has addressed fans’ concerns over the club’s recent transfer activities, following a pre-season friendly that exposed a significant gap in the Reds’ squad.
Despite Liverpool confirming the signings of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai for a combined £105 million, the team’s lack of a recognised defensive midfielder remains a problem. This deficiency was exposed during Monday’s 3-1 friendly victory over German club Darmstadt, where the attack-focused Mac Allister was charged with protecting the back four.
The absence of defensive midfielders stems from the unexpected departures of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson last month. Both players opted for lucrative deals with cash-laden Saudi Pro League clubs, leaving Liverpool scrambling to fill the void. The Reds have made attempts to recruit Southampton prodigy Romeo Lavia, but their three bids, the highest of which exceeded £46 million, have been rejected.
Here's how @MoSalah gave us the lead at Deepdale, converting from van Dijk's flick on after Szobo's corner 👌 pic.twitter.com/kYoZaYs4NX
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 7, 2023
Van Dijk, recently appointed captain following Henderson’s departure, acknowledges the fans’ concerns. “I can definitely understand the doubt,” the Dutch defender told the Liverpool ECHO. “When influential players leave, and there are only two new arrivals, it’s natural for people to feel uncertain.”
Van Dijk is part of a defensive line-up that has also been criticised for conceding goals during the pre-season. He admitted that the outgoing players were “big characters, both on and off the pitch”, and their departure creates a void that needs to be filled.
“The new players are world-class,” Van Dijk continued. “Their skills, particularly with the ball, are impressive. But they also need to acclimatise to our defence tactics. It’s a work in progress, but I’m confident in their ability to adapt and step into the roles left vacant.”
Despite the upheaval, the 32-year-old Netherlands international expressed confidence in the squad’s consistency, a key element for success in the coming season.
“We have to be confident and continue learning. While some key players have left, it creates an opportunity for others to step up. It’s an exciting challenge. I’m very excited – so let’s give it a go,” Van Dijk concluded.
